Co-op also makes the bad camera even worse. It's better included than not, but if you want great multiplayer, play the deeper and more fulfilling X-Men Legends or one of the Baldur's Gate games.

It's a capably constructed RPG, to be sure, but it's hard to explicitly recommend Mega Man X: Command Mission to anyone who isn't already a fan of Mega Man or RPGs. If you're a little bit of both, chances are you'll dig it immensely.

Need for Speed: Undercover is a game that both satisfies and disappoints on a regular basis. While the chases provide top-notch thrills and spills, you can’t help but feel like you’ve just done it too many times to really care anymore.

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.

A mostly average button masher that has the good luck of being associated with the hottest kids' property to come along in years.

It has the makings of a role-playing classic, but it runs out of steam half-way through. The rest of the game is playable and occasionally fun, but it never comes close to the greatness of the first act.

Lost in Blue 2 does prove rewarding down the back stretch, and fans of Harvest Moon and similar games probably won’t have as much of a problem with the early going. This is a game that expects you to pay your dues, though, and most players will probably find that too high a price.

It is disappointing that only two people can play simultaneously, especially when so many other games feature online support. The camera is also far from perfect--you’ll routinely have your view blocked by troops--and enemy AI has evolved little from previous versions.

But if you are expecting vast improvements and additions after EA monopolized the marked, you might have to wait until next season.

Though mostly a run-and-gun affair, the adrenaline-charged atmosphere makes up for the deficiencies in the computer AI.

The new units are not terribly exciting and the campaign, while well above average, is still far too short.

So while the game doesn't go feature crazy like Sega's monkey handlers, it under-delivers, leaving players with a mile-long wish list of mini-games, activities and unlockables they long to see included in the sequel.

It's not a bad game, and should hold your interest for several hours, but the things it does well are diminished by its myriad flaws.

It's no sexy party in the gameplay department, but it's no smoked meat log, either.

If you enjoy "Final Fantasy" and its ilk, Lost Odyssey will appeal. It’s not innovative and doesn’t take any chances, but there’s a lot of classic turn-based adventure just waiting for you in four long disks.

A fun arcade-style racing game that could have benefited from more features, like the ability to customize cars (you can only choose color and transmission type), compete in tournaments, or embark on a dynamic career mode with cash prizes instead of trophies.

Juiced can be highly irritating at some times and completely unfair at others. Why, for instance, do you have to help pay to repair other racers' cars yet no one helps you get your car back into racing shape?

It’s not really fresh, revolutionary, or exceptional, but Alter Code F is a way to revisit old times, a history lesson on the early days of the genre, and a way for a game company to make a little extra cash.

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.

The excellent battle system and mostly likeable characters somehow transcend the game’s drawn out plot and niggling technical issues. This is a nice apology for the disappointing "Tales of Legendia."

This updated, retooled (and downloadable, $30) version of the blazing fast hovercraft battle racer sports eight new tracks, tighter controls, sharper visuals and a new training section where all of you panic-prone Cougars out there can now hone your skills and become the Mavericks of your dreams – minus the killer abs and with a bit more Star Wars than you were probably expecting.

Despite the beauty of CFS3 and its engaging campaign mode, the performance issues we experienced kept us from losing ourselves in the experience.

Chili Con Carnage is short-lived, but incredibly fun. The complete focus on crazy, stupid gunplay, tons of enemies, and decent graphics and environment make it a guilty pleasure.

The new weapons are nice, although it lacks any real innovation when it comes to level design.

Matches up decently to last year's Madden and Sega offerings, but those games are doubtlessly improved this year.

The run-of-the-mill level grinding in Vanguard is no better or worse than any other MMO. It’s a little disappointing that we still have to deal with crap like this. But there are some neat ideas in Vanguard.

The biggest sticking point is that Untold Legends has been “told” before, several different times in several different guises. While improved from its predecessor, Warrior’s Code is not quite up to the level of a Diablo, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, or similar hack-and-slash titles.

Has excellent mechanics and ideas, but they don't come together into the cohesive, enjoyable whole that we've come to expect from the series. Drive a stake through this one's heart and keep your garlic handy for the next one.

The game is somewhat short however, and there are some frustratingly cheap places for the monkey king to blow it. Which, in turn, blows some of the games potential replay value.

Looks good and plays well, though you have to accept that a tough puzzle or vague objective can bring your progress to a screeching halt at any moment.

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.

The gonzo characters and action have a certain allure, but since the game doesn’t provide much context, how you feel about the game’s unique look could easily make or break it for you.

Gives a strong performance on a lot of levels, but finds itself stuck in the hangar when it comes to the actual feel of flying. It's a fun, challenging game, but far more attention should have been given to the physics and plane mechanics.

"DDR" veterans are sure to Pump It Up, but if you're just starting out then it's best to start with something easier.

RF Online isn’t a bad MMO by any means; it simply suffers from an over-abundance of menial tasks.

Most weapons, like the enemy-seeking suicide hamsters, are worth the effort.

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

Unlike those in the comparatively lively Tiger Woods titles, the Swingerz courses come off as disconcertingly quiet and bland, without so much as a visible audience.

Icon is serviceable, but it’s not something you’ll be spinning in your disc tray for very long.

There isn't much in way of story or expandability, but it gets basic, punishingly repetitive combat down just right, and that makes it worth a purchase if you're looking for something to fill the time.

The problem lies in how far apart these missions are in relation to each other, making it seem like the developers are forcing you to explore the world instead of giving you the option.

The visuals hit the mark, and there’s a huge roster of fighters here, but the odd camera work and control issues don’t work in the game’s favor.

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.

Misfires slightly as a stand-alone first-person shooter, as it's not deep enough to warrant too much replay. But in connection with the Guncon2, the game outshines any recent competitors.

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.

It's fast and easy to play, and it looks terrific. At least the cars do. Serious car culture enthusiasts and a very select group of auto-manga readers will dig it, but its dusting of drawbacks leave it just barely on the three-star side of the rating scale.

One area that the game is really lacking in, however, is its soundtrack.

Final Fantasy II is the first to truly deliver that experience of being transported to a world filled with fluffy yellow birds and medieval flying machines.

Juiced can be highly irritating at some times and completely unfair at others. Why, for instance, do you have to help pay to repair other racers' cars yet no one helps you get your car back into racing shape?

Just don’t expect something radically different from what we’ve all be playing for the past 8 years or so.

The game isn't particularly original, creative, or inspired, but for fans of the movie and parents looking for an entertaining, if harmless division for their kids, this is a good choice.

Not only does the commentary get old after a few games, but Ralph Lawler and Van Earl Wright, who provide the play-by-play commentary, sound eerily alike. The commentary may be accurate and colorful, but it'll be one of the first things you'll turn off when you want to concentrate on gameplay.

If you can get past the long loading times and come to grips with the busted controls, Tiger Woods offers so much.

For many, it will simply be the fantastic graphics and sound that seal the deal.

Offers up some fun, mindless action that fizzles out rather quickly. It's an easy game to pick up and dive right into, but for a single player, it's a weekend rental at best.

A more robust story line, more variety in combat, and greater length would help a lot. But the game is still extremely enjoyable for what it is -- a hack-and-slash weekend time filler.

For most gamers, this is a prime rental, able to provide a few hours distraction. But for 40 bucks, only the most dedicated players will get their money's worth.

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 lame dialog and acting shatters any real delusions of drama, as do the irritating glitches and the surprise ending, reminding you that this is just a game after all.

A fun game with great characters and level design, and plenty of gameplay. While the graphics aren’t as good as they should be, this port comes from a solid pedigree that manages to shine through.

Succeeds where other fitness-oriented programs fail because you are literally an active participant in the program instead of mimicking steps or following commands.

It isn't dross, but it probably works best as a quick rental, even for speed junkies.

It's sad to see the interesting features such as light versus dark and co-op play get shunted to the sidelines in favor of the same stuff we've been experiencing for years.

It's just sort of a bummer not to see anything new brought to the table other than a digital Steven Tyler (which actually looks less freakish than the real Steven Tyler).

Veteran platformers will make it through with little challenge, but that detriment makes it perfect for less experienced, older, or much younger players looking for a cute diversion.

A reliable, if unremarkable shooter. If only the story had been better reflected in actual gameplay we'd be getting somewhere.

A rental and possible purchase for fans. For anyone else, "hack Part 4: Quarantine is a repetitive action-RPG that isn't as interesting as its concept and is almost impossible to enjoy independently of the series.

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.

This ain’t the console equivalent of "Rome: Total War." Action fans might furrow their brows over the slow pacing, and the camera is stubborn, requiring you to manually adjust it to see your surroundings while moving around the enemy.

For now, though, PSU’s online half gets a thumbs-up. What made the original PSO a hit is still there – fun cooperative combat, smooth social interaction, and lots of loot to grab.

It isn't a great game, and it quickly becomes redundant, but it's a guilty pleasure you can get for cheap.

The biggest draw in DarkWatch is the setting. It's just different enough to remain interesting the whole way through.

Its strength is that it gives fans exactly what they expect. But the whole concept is getting a little long in the tooth.

If this one had gameplay to match its story and visuals, we'd be looking at a Game of the Year candidate.

It came so agonizingly close to being a great one. With some camera tweaks and a more effective method of combating multiple foes, this could have been a truly special title that would have appealed to more than just devotees of the "Buffy" show.

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

It's not innovative or great in any regard, but it does provide plenty of explosions and challenge. It's also far and away the only decent game to yet come from the franchise.

Mercury demands a lot, and doesn’t offer many ways for deficient players to build their skills for later levels.

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

flOw has all the makings of a great game, with one major exception. There is almost no point. Just the same, for $8 PlayStation 3 owners will find a truly distinctive, Zen-like gaming experience.

The objectives and set pieces will keep you playing despite the dumb AI. But after you complete the game, you'll have no incentive to ever again play any part of this game.

Desperate Housewives: The Game is cheapened, slightly, by rampant product placement. Every time your character washes her hands or throws a dark load into the washer, you're exposed to the name of some corporate sponsor.

A surprisingly addictive, insanely frenetic multiplayer game that will delight "Magic" fans. But even those who've never played it (and maybe shot spitballs at those who did) might take a fancy to it.

Universe at War: Earth Assault isn't the game that proves that the real-time strategy can really work on a console. It's not a failure by any means, but neither is it a resounding success.

It may seem like a laidback, go-as-you-wish experience, but with the constant time limits imposed on the player it fails as both a relaxing and fully rewarding game.

Obviously, your enjoyment of the story line and setting are largely dependent on your familiarity with the show, but thankfully the gameplay is solid enough to provide enjoyment for Rocket Power neophytes as well.

A beautiful game. Much like its predecessor, AquaNox 2 sets a new high water mark (heh, heh) in graphics. High end PC gamers are in for a real treat. It doesn't hurt that the game plays well too. Yet the single player campaign just isn't all that long.

Mercenaries 2 won't entice those expecting glitch-free gaming, diverse missions, gritty realism, and cerebral combat. Yet for the run-and-gun crowd, it's escapist entertainment worth seeking out just for the sheer amount of chaos you can create within the colorful jungle setting. It’s not long, it's not deep, but it's never boring, especially with a friend.

Despite being formulaic and a little bit frustrating at times, Super Swing Golf Season 2 is a solid addition to the Wii’s sports lineup.

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.

PC gamers will feel like this is the kind of game they were playing five years ago. The small improvements from the Xbox version are cancelled out by the interface quirks introduced.

The level design is generally uninspired. It doesn't take full advantage of your Jedi powers.

It's not deep, nor especially challenging, but if you want to take that vintage Mustang to the generic California streets and choke your enemies with exhaust, it's a fun ride.

It’s certainly no Crimson Skies, but still manages to give fans of aerial combat an overall decent online and single player experience with a variety of gaming modes and planes.

A cute little game with colorful visuals, wonderful music, and fun gameplay. It's a shame the game is so short (you'll beat it in a day without much of an effort) and that the minigames feel tacked on.

For all its shortcomings, Rogue Trooper is still worth a playthrough for fans of the heavy-firepower, run-and-gun action genre. The spit and polish in the presentation makes it an entertaining ride from start to finish, even if you're not a fan of the comic series. But the lack of lasting depth and challenge keeps it from being more than a quick fix.

Sega Casino doesn’t make gambling terribly exciting with flashy graphics or sound effects, but it does present solid representations of a number of popular table games, all intuitively playable thanks to the stylus.

It’s doubtful anyone could take it seriously as an IQ test, but as a minor brain teaser for those times when you have a few minutes to kill, PQ fits the bill just fine.