At normal difficulty (which is actually quite easy) the game should take about eight to 10 hours to complete. There is replay value in the different characters, although the dungeons and quests remain identical.

It isn't for everyone though, the difficulty can be infuriatingly hard and means that some players won't ever make it to the later levels.

While the rev of the bike engines is dead on, the music is just awful. The same bad grunge rock song (or at least, all the songs seem to sound the same) plays over and over. Unless you can phase the noise out, turning the music off will be your only recourse.

Persona 3's daily structure is both a blessing and a curse. A benefit of the system is that you genuinely look forward to seeing what new characters or events are revealed the next day. Yet having to visit a single dungeon, even one with hundreds of floors, is not always appealing.

We like Beyond the Sword because it makes the vastness of Civilization 4 just a little bit bigger. Getting to play the Dutch and Portuguese is worth a lot, but we wish all the expansions could have the cunning to make us look at the game in a new way without losing the rich complexity that make us love it in the first place.

The threadbare story can barely support the game’s 20 hours of gameplay and the brothers don’t have enough moves to keep the puzzle-solving fresh.

Isn't really a sequel no matter what it says on the box. It's an expansion pack. Gamers who already own "IL-2 Sturmovik" may balk at the price, as there's simply not enough new here to justify the purchase.

The game is the pretty much the same as last year, but with a more updated roster. If you purchased last year’s title, this game is not worth forking over another 60 bucks for the same experience.

The versatile character-creation system will, at the very least, allow you to end up with something reasonably close to what you had in mind. The problem is that your looks pretty much have no bearing on how your character will play.

It's a shame, because this game, while merely good, does hint at the possibility of a truly great RPG, given another development cycle or two.

Though we've managed to tune the game, the clunky interface and hidden Sim settings are definitely a turn-off.

The universe is large, but there's not much to do in it. There are infinite numbers of missions to complete, but once you've played a handful, you've played them all.

This feels like yet another genre shoehorned poorly onto hardware that just isn’t equipped to handle it.

New scenery, new enemies, and new quests abound for fans of the third Elder Scrolls game, but the familiar story line and lack of any real innovation keeps Bloodmoon from shining too brightly.

Maybe next year will bring us that much closer to having a Madden game like never before. It’s still a good game, slightly above average, but not as great as it should be.

A perfect example of why shooters have become such a niche genre. It's a good game that's well made. It's even got an interesting hook to keep the hard core happy. But the insane difficulty will keep most players from getting past the first level before giving up. And with the ultra-short playing time, even shooter fans might not find enough to like here.

PoP is a group of interesting ideas searching for a stronger game to hold them all together.

Lacks some of the technological prowess of other shooters, but its personality and extras keep its head above water.

Resident Evil 5 is mired in poor design decisions that drag down the experience and render single-player campaign a tedious exercise in working around the game. It’s frustrating to see a game that I so looked forward to playing and carried with it such potential, sabotage itself in so many ways. Compared against the ambition of games like Bioshock, Mass Effect, and Assassin’s Creed; Resident Evil 5 seems timid, unwilling to move out of its comfort zone. It’s a shame.

Devil May Cry 4 is also nothing close to the full next-gen transformation that the moody, gothic world of Capcom’s demons deserved.

Devil May Cry 4 is also nothing close to the full next-gen transformation that the moody, gothic world of Capcom’s demons deserved.

At its core the game is fiendishly clever. Like the game's baroque visuals, the mechanics are equally ornate – nearly diabolically so. It's a shame to discover such a meticulously crafted game cobbled together with duct-tape.

New Super Mario Bros. U is a solid game, but one whose core experience is as conservative as can be and the level design, graphics, and sound are nearly identical to previous entries. The co-op features, however, are excellent, as are the new challenge modes.

We would have liked more maps and a solid fix for the sound problems.

The same formula that was once termed as ground-breaking now become tired and old.

While the game soars when it comes to charm and presentation, the uneven mix favors the weaker half of the gameplay formula and can't offer up a single well-rounded control option.

Resident Evil 5 is mired in poor design decisions that drag down the experience and render single-player campaign a tedious exercise in working around the game. It’s frustrating to see a game that I so looked forward to playing and carried with it such potential, sabotage itself in so many ways. Compared against the ambition of games like Bioshock, Mass Effect, and Assassin’s Creed; Resident Evil 5 seems timid, unwilling to move out of its comfort zone. It’s a shame.

Did we really need a third version of Dead or Alive 2? Probably not, and we definitely didn't need more DOA 1. But, for diehard fight fans and online junkies, Ultimate is worth a look.

Lacks some of the technological prowess of other shooters, but its personality and extras keep its head above water.

This, then, is a game to experience. It’s a game to point to, and champion, as an innovator in what it presents to players. It’s one of the most novel games ever made. In bite-sized portions, it really should be played.

While the touch-screen interface is a downer, the amount of play options in Picross DS is uplifting.

Xenosaga's failing is not its presentation, but its mediocre story. Merely putting a story in a game doesn't exempt the game from criticism that would be leveled at any other story-based medium.

With its fast-paced multiplayer, completely redesigned spellbook, and extensive replayability, I'd say if you enjoyed the original Orcs Must Die! then I'd highly recommend Orcs Must Die! 2. However, OMD2 is shorter than OMD in terms of the campaign and only seems to expand on the original rather than offer a new innovative experience for tower defense fans.

The action is unique, the world and characters are well crafted, and the game is generally well made. That said, the action does get a bit repetitive, the story is generic, the dungeons are incredibly dull, and the upgrade system is kind of weird.

Despite the struggles of the combat system, the story of Kat and overall atmosphere of the game are extremely well executed and make up for the small misstep. Sure, Gravity Rush isn't the Vita's savior, but it doesn't really need to be. It's a competent action game with a unique mechanic that works well on a handheld.

It will also leave a vague air of dissatisfaction with Ninja Gaiden vets. It’s short, parts of it are sweet, but it never really gets firing on all cylinders, even though the hint of a promise for that level of intensity is present the whole time.

If the online game had been at least as good as its’ predecessors, this title would have received top marks. Now all Tribes: Vengeance can boast is one of the best single-player story modes currently available on the PC.

Inconsistent, though the good tends to outweigh the bad. Missteps aside, the game is genuinely fun, and at the very least worth a try via demo. If nothing else, Dust offers an intriguing promise of things to come: if Mr. Dodrill could craft a game like this on his own, what could he accomplish with more?

The trio of Matt Vasgersian, Dave Campbell, and Rex Hudler actually sound like they're watching the game unfold in real time, noting how many times a certain hitter has struck out, the number of consecutive hits allowed by a pitcher, and other milestones.

A fairly standard action/puzzle game. The environments are very detailed -- albeit with the minor visual hiccups endemic to the isometric perspective. The sunlight adds an unusual strategic challenge, but players must resign themselves to sometimes having to wait for the break of dawn to resume gameplay.

These improvements to the graphic engine come at a price. The frame rate slows down whenever multiple players are running the bases, and it experiences noticeable hiccups during the batting sequences.

The engine is a couple years old and not as cool-looking as contemporary games or even "MechAssault" for the Xbox... Also, the audio is unremarkable.

The abysmal controls and resulting frustrations are unforgiveable.

A good game insomuch as it’s about as realistic as you can get. But that devotion to realism can be an unforgiving master. If you’re new to the genre, stay far away from this game. It’ll only end in tears.

Despite the emphasis on monthly events and a dynamic story, there is no real solution to the twin problems of weak role-playing and the somewhat generic quests... [yet] an enjoyable, addictive game.

This game, unfortunately, tries too hard to play true to its D&D roots to be able to offer much appeal to casual gamers.

The frustration factor, however, runs needlessly high in SOCOM as a one-player adventure.

The overhead camera feels constrained. We simply want an isometric view to get a better perspective.

There’s something almost absurd about paying for a game that inundates you with a constant stream of ads.

There’s something almost absurd about paying for a game that inundates you with a constant stream of ads.

Remains the best of its genre, with its ball physics, ease of play, and wonderful online community. However, aside from the fantastic new control method and character models, not much has changed in the series in five years.

The huge leap in quality and playability from last year's version qualifies it for one of the most improved sports games available.

When other downloadable games offer a similar experience for the same price or less with a more streamlined experience, tenfold the content and just as much replayability, it becomes hard to recommend Joe Danger 2: The Movie, no matter how cute and competent its design is.

There is no comparison to Grand Theft Auto IV in terms of gunplay, presentation, story, ambient city life, or driving. Rockstar has this beat by a country mile. But while Row’s lack of polish and rough exterior make it the less attractive choice from a technical standpoint, for those who felt shortchanged by GTA IV's scaled-back features (especially when compared to San Andreas), Saints Row 2 will help fill the void.

Casual players may find the game entirely too complicated. It’s not an easy game to pick up if you haven’t been playing the series since day one.

The game goes overboard, too, when it attempts to be clever or creative. When Row tries desperately to outdo "Grand Theft Auto" in terms of its in-game radio stations—accessed when players hijack cars—it fails miserably.

Not-too-bright enemies coupled with garish graphics are both a lesson in frustration and an eyesore. It takes a lot of the fun out of blasting a floating brain type when the aforementioned baddie looks more like a smudge than a foe.

There is no comparison to Grand Theft Auto IV in terms of gunplay, presentation, story, ambient city life, or driving. Rockstar has this beat by a country mile. But while Row’s lack of polish and rough exterior make it the less attractive choice from a technical standpoint, for those who felt shortchanged by GTA IV's scaled-back features (especially when compared to San Andreas), Saints Row 2 will help fill the void.

Fans of the series will be quick to pick this one up and will likely get much enjoyment. New players might find more to love in the newer games in the series. Either way, Shadow Dragon is a good move for tactical strategy gamers.

And if the thought of cleaning up virtual garbage and keeping your sim familiar with the toilet isn't your idea of fun, steer clear. Love it or hate it, this is still "The Sims."

The learning curve is steep, and the first half-dozen battles serve to show you the ropes. After this initiation, things pick up and Kingdom becomes quite compelling.

It's a short run-through -- especially if you don't seek out the secrets -- and probably won't test the skills of experienced gamers.

The increased emphasis on exploring different lots on campus serves to exacerbate the tedium involved in getting your sims from point A to point B, and the time traveling logic it entails.

If you are an "Everquest" regular, you'll have a hard time not buying the latest and greatest.

Mediocre presentation also holds it back a bit, but Kohan II is otherwise a solid and unique strategy game.

Besides the fine graphics and well-balanced combat, Episode III does a lot of little things right, details in the interface like pop-up balloons for conversations (to make chatting in towns easier) and a thoroughly hyperlinked shop menu for quick and simple equipment updates.

Thanks to the numerous computer-related balancing issues and somewhat punishing controls, it can oftentimes be more annoying than fun.

A step down from the audio and visuals, unfortunately, is the gameplay. The No. 1 culprit has to be the frustrating batting mechanics.

The most ambitious and complicated real-time strategy game ever made. This will make it a joy to devout fans of the genre, but an overwhelming mess to everyone else.

It isn't as addictive or diverse as the great pinball videogames, but it'll quench your "Pokemon" thirst.

The graphical improvements are not terribly impressive, and the extra content is more of the same.

From a strange glitch that causes dead enemies to bounce around the environments like a Super Ball inside a blender, to the anemic implementation of vehicles into the multiplayer, another six months would have served it well.

With "Winning Eleven" on the market you just expect more, and you get it. FIFA may have high-priced Premiereship licenses and a killer career mode, but at the end of the day, it’s just not as much fun as the competition.

It's hard to recommend a game that ultimately turns into running in circles while attempting to unload your weapons faster than the next guy.

The graphical improvements are not terribly impressive, and the extra content is more of the same.

With more options and extensive play modes (such as a fantasy draft or minor league system), fewer restrictions placed on defense, and the added ability to tweak computer AI, this series can help set a new benchmark.

With "Winning Eleven" on the market you just expect more, and you get it. FIFA may have high-priced Premiereship licenses and a killer career mode, but at the end of the day, it’s just not as much fun as the competition.

The overhead camera feels constrained. We simply want an isometric view to get a better perspective.

PoP is a group of interesting ideas searching for a stronger game to hold them all together.

Every cut scene makes reference to events or characters from previous titles, and newcomers will likely be lost as to their significance. Since the gameplay itself is subpar to the point of being at times unforgivably dull, those not here for the story will find little to hold their attention.

With its unique setup and variety of multiplayer modes, Ecks vs. Sever is a title worth checking out.

It’s a real shame that the only down side to this game is basically the system Capcom chose to release it on.

Like an over-encumbered sherpa, Drake stumbles occasionally under the weight of all the gadgets and gimmicks included with the new system. For better or worse, Uncharted demonstrates just about everything the Vita can deliver.

But those ideas don't hold much water when the AI acts up as often as it does. That, coupled with the numerous other bugs we encountered, really makes Pacific Assault a minor disappointment.

An engaging card battle game wrapped up in a solidly mediocre story.

The cups in this golf game don't exactly runneth over in terms of significant content, but at the same time, players shouldn't feel like they’re getting shafted. This is what the first Xbox 360 golf game should have been all along, a familiar but fun time on the links with striking visuals.

King Kong is short... really short. The average player will finish the game in about six hours, and for $60, that’s not exactly a great value.

It's tough to keep calling FIFA on issues of accuracy, especially when Konami seems to have soccer realism cornered.

Fate certainly isn’t the most innovative title out there. In fact, it’s quite easily labeled as a "Diablo" clone, and inherits its predecessor’s endlessly repetitive combat and gameplay. However, this game also somehow manages to stay fun hour after hour.

The actual strategy aspect is drastically limited, thanks to the small arenas and abbreviated unit types. With only two short campaigns that interest will quickly turn to boredom.

At heart, Battlefront is just "Battlefield 1942" hosed down in Star Wars juice. The constant lag and lack of online modes suck a lot of the fun out of what should be the consummate Star Wars multiplayer game.

The beefed-up single-player is nice, but when the main focus of the game comes up so short, it’s hard not to feel disappointed.

It's tough to keep calling FIFA on issues of accuracy, especially when Konami seems to have soccer realism cornered.

While it lacks the polish we’ve come to expect from original developer Infinity Ward, it’s still a fun, if dangerously familiar campaign through 1940’s Europe. It’s just doesn’t offer anything unique or new to the genre.

The bonuses left us dissatisfied. Sure, new outfits and craft are cool, but they lose their novelty if they don't help your performance. You can earn enough points to buy a hot new ride, but the upgrade is purely cosmetic.

The atmosphere helps make up for some of the deficiencies in the controls and overall stiffness of the game, but additional polish is needed if College Hoops hopes to be an all-American.

The new courses, modes and features can't make us forget one simple fact: EA screwed with the gameplay. It's not our fault we were getting really damn good at your game. Don't send it back into the Stone Age with inaccurate swing mechanics and busted-up putting as punishment.

Takes golf videogames back to the '80s when it was a boring, elitist sport. It looks to have completely disregarded the shifting of the guard that took place when a certain tiger-striped phenom stepped onto the scene.