One of the most significant changes lies in the combat. The awkward auto-aiming of previous titles is replaced by a useful cover system and excellent lock-on aiming. The usefulness of the cover system cannot be overstated.

This rounds out a lot of the mysteries of the events leading up to FF7 and it is a fun treat for a fan to go through and remember a lot of the flashbacks from the original game being fleshed out in this installment.

The combat is all very smooth and familiar, and feels like a return to an old friend. But, when placing this combat into the intensely long Subspace Emissary mode, it doesn’t quite mesh.

A few things need tweaking, mostly the funky camera which just zooms in way to close with no option to move it around. If you are looking for a fun game to pick up and play with your buddy, make sure he is a patient one and an experienced gamer.

A few things need tweaking, mostly the funky camera which just zooms in way to close with no option to move it around. If you are looking for a fun game to pick up and play with your buddy, make sure he is a patient one and an experienced gamer.

Just a very safe outing for the series. There are no major chances taken and it shows.

The players are all modeled with such care and effort that it will make your jaw drop. The clothes will ripple when the pitcher raises his leg mid-throw, and dirt will cake on the uniforms of the players who have made a few diving saves in the infield.

It's one of the strongest titles I've seen yet for the handheld and, frankly, one of the better games to be released on any platform in quite some time.

For fans of Naruto who know what the Hidden Leaf Village is or are accustom to hearing about Trigram Palm Rotations, this game can provide a deep and challenging fight.

So while this was a great opportunity to revamp an aging game and work out any flaws it had for a re-release, the company took the safe route and merely ported this over without fixing anything.

Visuals remain unchanged from the original PC debut, and while they didn’t look the best back then, they look absolutely archaic now. Character models are poorly animated, and lip-synching is a bit jarring in how off it can be.

Multiplayer is about as weak as the in-game humor.

Overall this game doesn’t take any chances and it suffers because of it.

There was never much indication that this was going to be any good. What surprises me though, is how much this game makes me want to put down my controller and walk away from my system. You don’t feel like playing any sort of game after engaging in this one, which is just a dangerous enough side-effect for me to recommend that you don’t even look at the box this game comes in.

The combat is a tad clunky, and the story is just shy of copyright infringement, but dammit you’re not going to care. This is a nice trip down memory lane, albeit a long one.

An excellent way to spend some quality time with your DS and genuinely worth the small investment from your bank account.

The most glaring problems with the game arise in human AI and weird graphical hiccups. Human AI, sorry to say, is dumb.

While it is true that the game has a 20 minute install on the PS3, making any immediate demon slicing an impossibility, it isn’t that excruciating of an experience.

So, if you are really desperate for that horse riding experience that so many games haven’t delivered, then I’m sure all three of you will find happiness with this title. For the rest of you, please just stay away.

So while this game puts up a valiant effort to inject some life into the sometimes mundane adventure genre, it falters with a complex interface and a certain sense of hatred you will develop for the female lead.

Sins of a Solar Empire makes no apologies for being ambitiously massive and deep.

While this game is pretty shallow in terms of content, it still becomes a great pickup for some mindless fun and destruction.

Straight up, this game just isn’t fun. While it is fun to laugh at while others are playing it, it only serves as a humiliation tool for others to mock you for playing. Just steer clear, you’ll be a much happier person if you do.

Savage 2 is something of an anomaly in the current lineup of PC games, borrowing elements from Natural Selection, Planetside, Hellgate: London and others. Whether you’re a RTS fan, a FPS junkie, or you’re looking for the next great competitive action RPG, you’ll find something to like in Savage 2.

If an easily amused player can get over the difficulty and monotony, they’ll find an afternoon’s worth of enjoyment here.

All in all, Circle of Doom’s hack and slash formula feels out of place alongside the other games of the series, and more appropriate next to Gauntlet. Frilly-collared warrior needs food badly!

If Jackass the Game does anything, it probably shows that the DS is not appropriate for sandbox-style gaming. Or maybe it’s just that games based on the self-infliction of pain don't translate well to the DS. Yeah, that could be it.

So while this game may flaunt itself as the grand successor to the NFL Street series, it only falls flat on its face before it hits the turf. What you’ve got instead is a hyped arena football game with some poor choices in atmosphere and fun.

Because there is barely any game here, you feel like you are just sitting in a chair with a Wiimote, pressing the A button to continually advance to the next scene of the amusing TV show.

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity’s problems keep it from being a consistent blast - but it has its moments.

Multiplayer mode is basic and simple one-on-one combat, with no frills added on. Since this game is bare-bones to begin with, this is no surprise. So while this game tries to offer an enjoyable boxing experience, the lack of features simply knocks this one down for the count.

Just stay away, you will be a happier person overall, and laugh at those who have not heeded the warnings and decided to spend $30 on this travesty of a game.

I love these monsters, I loved them growing up, we all did. So it becomes a downer to see them transplanted into such drab renditions of themselves. If making a bunch of kids happy with some slap happy antics on a Wii is what this game was aiming for, then it has been accomplished.

But despite what this game has to offer it remains hard to recommend a purchase simply because of all the déjà-vu this will give you. There is almost nothing new here from the previous Tenkaichi titles, besides a ramped up character list and a couple shifts in the story mode.

Speaking of looks, this game is quite visually impressive. It looks great, especially for an arcade download. The lighting effects are spectacular and really give off a great underwater ambience.

Not that it isn’t fun, but aliens are a little -too- human, even the really really weird ones. These problems are thankfully not nearly big enough to drag Mass Effect down, as in reality, they amount to little more than petty but necessary gripes about an otherwise great title – it’s a fantastic experience.

Xbox Live support is great here as well. Online play is great, and you can jam with a band halfway across the world, which is seriously technically impressive. The downloadable content support is fantastic as well, even this soon after the game’s been released.

Next Life could have been fantastic. It is by no means bad – just held back by some strange design oversights.

UT3 is quick, fun, violent, and positively a blast to play, despite a couple minor shortcomings.

While this game is not perfect, it comes close to touching it on several points, and absolutely nails it on the story. This tale is gripping the whole way through, and has the value to be revisited over and over again, just like any DVD movie on your shelf.

This game takes many hours of back-study with the show to know what the hell is going on, which means you are going to be confused, guaranteed. But for you Lyoko-heads out there, this should be right up your data-stream.

What makes this type of play so much fun is the fact that the levels are so huge.

In short, Assassin’s Creed is two hours of a really good video game repeated ad nauseum for many more hours. It’s fun, but can get very boring.

I had never felt so frustrated in a wrestling game until I played this one.

When it comes right down to it this game is perfect for the newbies out there that have only heard of Cooking Mama and have wanted to try it out. But for those of you that invested time in the original game, it may be best to stay with that one, as this offers nothing new for you.

When it all boils down to it, this is nothing more than another straight laced shooter with little to offer people in the value department.

Excellent graphics, gameplay and variety are definitely SMG's strengths, though it's certainly not perfect. The game may feel a little too easy for most gamers, as you only need to collect 60 stars to complete it and many of the boss battles are very simple. Also, the auto-camera, which functions great most of the time, does have a few hiccups at certain points.

A few improvements could have been made to increase the game’s longevity, but for a first strike this is an excellent outing. Fighters should lace up their gloves and go a few rounds with this game, just don’t get knocked to the floor.

As far as XBLA games are concerned, this is a rare gem.

Empire Earth III doesn’t live up to the scope and complexity of its predecessors, and if anything, shames the previously good name of Empire Earth.

In the end, Gears of War isn't perfect, but it does what it does so incredibly well that you just can't help but love it.

The final part of the game, which I won’t give away here, should have been FULL of terrifying stuff hitting fans of every size and speed imaginable, and yet… nothing. More non-paranormal enemies. It is, quite simply, the most colossal anti-climax since Halo 2.

I appreciate the game for being an extension of the show and carrying the same humorous spirit, but I think that it could benefit with less attention to the show and more quality game craftsmanship.

Every objective feels fresh, and enjoyably chaotic, because more than anything, Modern Warfare illustrates the constant state of FUBAR that war often is.

This is a title definitely intended for children and gives them something to pass the time with after school gets out. Mothers out there should look to this game to give them some peace and quiet time from their kids.

After all, if the creator of many popular videogames can’t stop playing his own titles, that’s probably the best statement that they are worth your time as well.

The controls are solid enough, but there have been so many other stellar shooters over this holiday season, I can’t see why anybody would choose this game.

Hardcore players should probably stay away, but anyone looking for a laid-back and fun time can find at least a little of that here. This game is obviously made for kids, and while they’ll have more fun with it than an adult would, there’s a little something for everyone in this package.

Basically what you have here is yet another port of a movie that just doesn’t deliver in the entertainment department.

The only thing missing from this experience was an actual video of eight-year-old Josh crying at the end of the game. I would have paid a lot of money to see that.

This game is substantially harder than the previous two.

This game is substantially harder than the previous two, and may cause a newcomer to the series to reconsider their purchase.

I came into this chomping at the bit to play “Knights of Cydonia” but I have found so much more with this game. I’m positive that I will be shredding on this until the next Hero graces my presence, unless a certain Rock Band can steal me away.

Jericho shows a great deal of thought put into the final product, but it just doesn’t rise above its own problems, unfortunately.

The Dracula X Chronicles is simply a great package for old school Castlevania fans and newcomers alike.

Someone asked me to describe Ace Combat 6 in a word, and my response was “shallow,” which probably wasn’t fair. Shallow seems to imply a lack of depth to a fault, which certainly isn’t the case with Ace Combat 6. Though you don’t have to worry about flaps settings, ILS approaches, or proper air-traffic control etiquette, Ace Combat 6 is by no means barebones. It’s a lean, mean, fighting machine.

In short, Zack and Wiki made me love these adventuring, puzzle-solving games all over again. Here’s hoping for a sequel and even more innovation.

ZX Advent delivers a solid 2D platformer that is difficult to find elsewhere, forcing a players to rely pretty heavily on their skill to see them through. Mega Man fans will have their desire sated.

Although Trials and Tribulations is essentially the same gameplay as the previous games, let’s admit it…the series is innovative. Who would have thought that the courtroom could be entertaining, better yet enjoyable?

The outstanding combination of tight gameplay and a first-rate presentation make it a great game.

One game-breaking aspect of The Sims 2 Castaway is the load screens. The loading times are much too long and occurs much too often.

Flight Simulator X: Acceleration really is a must-buy for fans of the series. For $30 you get a great amount of content, and the improvements to FSX overall make it worth purchasing both Acceleration and the original game if you’ve still been cruising in FS2004.

The artists at Big Huge Games did a great job of capturing the unique building structures and military units for the new factions.

This game will provide hours and hours of enjoyment for all boring car rides and classes. Just don’t get too hooked…you’ve been warned.

All in all, this is a great game that suffers a bit on the player-stumping side of things. But for fans of Agatha Christie? There’s no question, this is your game of choice.

If you haven’t played this game before, chances are strong that you’ll have a good time with Beautiful Katamari. Newbies may be confused by the unique gameplay or bizarre story, but this series has a way of endearing itself to you rather quickly.

While the controls help to show a continuing evolution of how we use the Wii’s motion sensor technology, it falls far short of excellence thanks to an annoying timing glitch. All in all, you’ll have a good time with either version of this game that you pick up, but the 360 will present a more robust, challenging and rewarding experience.

A very solid game in terms of pure fun. I wasn’t sure of what to expect of this amorphous blob when I was handed it, but once I logged in a few hours I found I couldn’t pull myself away.

The layout of the levels is classic Hawk as well. The cities do a good job of recreating the east coast habitat they’re meant to mimic, but the dingy and gritty style makes it all look kind of ugly. In an over-the-top whimsical game like this, I’d expect a little more lighthearted style because this doesn’t exactly work.

The easy learning curve is something that always made the series a good bet, but with games like Skate emerging onto the scene with a more intuitive control scheme, it may be time for old Tony to learn a new trick or two.

Regardless of whether you enjoy first-person shooters or not, The Orange Box is one title that every gamer must experience. If you buy one game this year, make it The Orange Box.

Added abilities for the multiplayer add some needed depth.

There are some programming errors on the game that some veterans find game breaking. Any simple moves such as throwing a stone during battle, causes this relatively long slow down.

Well beyond just another competent racing game. It’s absolutely one of the pinnacle examples of simulation racing.

It is sad to see something that has so much potential go down the drain. If the game had made use of the stylus it may have been saved, but right now it has about as much staying power as an ice cube in an oven.

The only gratification you can get out of this game is when you pass right by it in the game aisle. Use the money you would have spent for far more gratifying ventures, like rehab. Because if you actually bought this game, I’m sure that’s exactly where you need to be headed.

Though Enemy Territory: Quake Wars certainly doesn’t reinvent the team-based multiplayer shooter, it borrows just enough from each figurehead and adds its own style and polish to produce a rock-solid online game.

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is a good concept and can be fun in short bursts with friends, but it simply doesn’t have the staying power to keep any but the most dedicated of fans playing too far into the game alone.

NBA 2K8 is easily the best hoops game on the market this year, a tremendous leap over last year’s game, and one of the best sports games ever made. Bravo Visual Concepts.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is a phenomenal Zelda game, pure and simple. The creative minds at Nintendo have managed to take classic gameplay and infuse it with all of the Nintendo DS’ unique capabilities to create an adventure for Link unlike any before.

Balls of Fury was entertaining for a short period of time, but it does get repetitive pretty fast. Thankfully it’s priced appropriately and provides enough entertainment in small doses to justify the cost.

As a whole, however, this game wouldn’t necessarily warrant a purchase from anyone but hardcore fans of the Jackass franchise.

For its price, this game’s capabilities are pretty good. I’ve got another cliché yet relevant quote to end: “never judge a book by its cover.” And in this case, don’t judge this DS game by its cover either.

I simply found the game too age distinctive. Overall, it is a fantastic game for kids.

But this game is not for gamers with a low attention span. Oftentimes I found myself wondering what to do next and waiting for time to pass…in other words, slow slow and slow.

Much like an orchestra with a flat brass section, Eternal Sonata strings together a great battle system and beautiful presentation to the backdrop of an out-of-tune story and lacking character development.

In the end Stuntman: Ignition feels like opening night at one of the many big-budget blockbuster movies it spoofs - an expensive ticket and a long wait can get you the perfect seats for some very rewarding action.

It won’t give you an experience like one you’ve had before, but it’s one you won’t soon forget. You won’t be pulling off the crazy impossible stunts you may have in Tony Hawk, but it’s equally – if not more – fun to pull off something really technically challenging in skate. With a little patience and perseverance this game can provide a really great experience.