Madden NFL 09 is a big improvement over last year's version, if only because it's more playable. The new features aren't earth shattering, and it's hard to fathom why the five-on-five mode wasn't juiced up to provide an even more arcade-like experience.

Despite the minor step backwards in single player depth, SoulCalibur IV remains a gorgeous, fast-paced, accessible fighter that also has enough depth for expert level play. While online is more of a novelty than a functional feature, players looking for a next-gen upgrade to the on-the-couch weapons clasher of the Dreamcast days will find the same addicting gameplay here.

Despite the minor step backwards in single player depth, SoulCalibur IV remains a gorgeous, fast-paced, accessible fighter that also has enough depth for expert level play. While online is more of a novelty than a functional feature, players looking for a next-gen upgrade to the on-the-couch weapons clasher of the Dreamcast days will find the same addicting gameplay here.

While it might look childish and basic, and the controls need some tweaking, there is more content and data tracking in this game than in any game you are ever likely to play.

For all its lack of innovation, there's an involving, if convoluted story here, and some commendably spooky moments.

Izuna 2 is fun to play and occasionally just plain funny as well, which is why it shouldn't get lost in the middle of its suddenly crowded little niche.

The game encourages and, more importantly reduces, the tedium of grinding by rewarding exploration – an act that, for most of us, is a reward in and of itself.

This is far more than just a port; it's a comprehensive console-specific retooling. The thought of that may make some fans sick to their stomach, and yes, some of the more detailed options for taxation and civilization management have been automated to a greater or lesser degree, but there's still plenty of strategy here for even hardcore fans to appreciate.

This is far more than just a port; it's a comprehensive console-specific retooling. The thought of that may make some fans sick to their stomach, and yes, some of the more detailed options for taxation and civilization management have been automated to a greater or lesser degree, but there's still plenty of strategy here for even hardcore fans to appreciate.

And this wouldn't be so bad, except for the draconian daily qualification requirements you face during the Olympic Games mode.

And this wouldn't be so bad, except for the draconian daily qualification requirements you face during the Olympic Games mode.

The real meat is online though, and Unreal Tournament 3 doesn't disappoint. Rock solid framerates even during intense, large matches, and stable connections help make the game one of the best online fights out there.

It offers the perfect style of gameplay makes for those who want to jump online and play an hour or so, then get back to their life.

The controls are intuitive, the operations are well-organized, and now that you can tweak the difficulty to your liking, you can challenge yourself as much as you'd like to. It may still bring back memories of playing Operation when you were a kid, but it's the best game of Operation anyone's ever made.

Practically unplayable and should be avoided at all costs.

Practically unplayable and should be avoided at all costs.

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).

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).

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).

So, yes, there is a little bit of hand-holding going on here. When you're going to play a game for dozens of hours, it’s nice to feel like the game's designers care enough about you to stand by your side.

It's the kind of game that pads itself out with random fights. And, worst of all, it's type of game that tries to pass tired techno-babble off as story. This crime is all the more heinous considering the fact that Mega Man Star Force 2 is aimed squarely at young gamers.

Edward Carnby's return had the potential to be the next Silent Hill. What we ended up with is more reminiscent of Trespasser.

Battlefield: Bad Company is the most console-feeling Battlefield ever produced.

Battlefield: Bad Company is the most console-feeling Battlefield ever produced.

Though it has numerous pros, courts, and options - including a player creation section that would make World Of Warcraft jealous - and looks as good as Wimbledon on NBC, it is ultimately undone by the most obvious of gaming mistakes: bad controls.

Though it has numerous pros, courts, and options - including a player creation section that would make World Of Warcraft jealous - and looks as good as Wimbledon on NBC, it is ultimately undone by the most obvious of gaming mistakes: bad controls.

For newcomers to the series, this is a great introduction, not only to real-time strategy games, but to console RTS's in general.

The emphasis on huge battles and great action does manage to shine through, but this release still feels half-baked.