But it all comes down to the gameplay and that is where GRAW really excels. Whether you are exploring the challenging single-player campaign or risking your job, family, and friends to play just one more game online, Ubisoft has created a whole new addiction that will be a tough habit to break. I’m not even going to try.

FIFA Soccer 12 is remarkable. It is addictive. It is fun. It is the closest a videogame has ever come to the real thing and it easily gets my vote for sports game of the year.

A classic in a long line of Mario classics. Excellent gameplay, vibrant graphics, beautiful sound, and an intriguing story make this one of the best GBA titles.

THUG has something else to offer besides unlockable goodies: depth. As with previous Hawk titles, the deep gameplay and highly interactive environments inspire and encourage you to experiment, find new combo lines, and improve as a player.

Trials Evolution is a must-buy XBLA game for anyone who loves racing, physics, puzzles, and addictive competition...with yourself and others.

FIFA Soccer 12 is remarkable. It is addictive. It is fun. It is the closest a videogame has ever come to the real thing and it easily gets my vote for sports game of the year.

EA has really outdone themselves. Konami's Pro Evo/Winning Eleven does provide some good competition, but only in the actual gameplay category.

This is easily the best new role-playing game that will give you dozens of hours of additional gameplay along with the already lengthy required adventuring.

NFL 2K5 not only has the best gameplay, both in accuracy and pure fun factor, but the entire game is wrapped up in an ESPN presentation that is worthy of being watched on Sunday with a group of friends.

MLB 11 The Show remains the best baseball game on the market and is a worthy upgrade for any baseball fan.

If there’s one racing game to buy on the PS2 this year, it is Burnout Revenge. The game really has the entire package sewn up.

If the gameplay isn’t enough to grab you then the audio and visual presentation will certainly make this a showcase title for your expensive new video card, one that will wow your friends. It’s a definite must-have.

Sony just made a baseball game that has something for everyone. It's fun, competitive, detailed and can even help you teach baseball to your kids.

Limbo is by far the best Xbox Live Arcade title since last year's highly-lauded Braid, and one of the best Xbox 360 titles ever released, period.

A gem of a simulation game; for that matter it’s easily one of the top war games of ALL TIME.

I absolutely hated the game at first, but after three missions I was definitely feeling the love. This is the perfect example of not judging a book by its cover.

The game is so shocking and fun you'll be compelled to restart a new game almost immediately after the credits fade away. And with so many tactics and weapons, no two games will ever play out the same way.

I am sure you will fall in love.

The iPad version of the game, is not the best version of Chinatown Wars, but it is still a great game.

Even for hardcore Civilization IV players, the game is different enough to warrant a purchase for anyone looking for something new. Civilization V took a whole lot of risks, and nearly all of them paid off.

With improved graphics, a wealth of dynamic missions and campaigns, the mission builder and the rabid fan base, Falcon. 4.0: Allied Force is another strong entry into the shrinking sim market. Best of all, this can be had for a modest $30 bones.

An FPS game that has a fun and effective two-player cooperative mode in the story, and a multiplayer mode that is the tops of anything on the market for console games, TS2 is the pinnacle for which FPS’s of the future will try to attain. Enough reading.

Hardcore racing fans would be remiss to not pick up Forza Motorsport 2 immediately. While it could use a few more tracks and possibly a few less jaggies around the edges, it is definitely the most in-depth racing simulation found on any of the current-gen consoles.

An amazing game, the likes of which we haven't seen in over ten years. If you're at all interested in cyberpunk, transhumanism, action, stealth, exploration, conspiracy theories, roleplaying, futurism, or old-school PC gaming, pick up Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

A near-flawless gameplay experience that is marred only by a slightly deficient Franchise mode, but when you have a game that exudes this much quality in just about every other facet I’m more than happy to overlook it.

NBA 2K12 is a great simulation with a lot to offer, from street pick-up games to World Champion classic teams. Hopefully the lack of current rosters is temporary. NBA 2K12 is an improvement over last year, but only a slight one.

Proves Bungie's dedication to making Halo 2 an ongoing success. You can really see the love and attention to detail that went into the creation of each and every level.

It is a finely tuned work of art with so much research and attention to detail incorporated into it that action gamers will become totally immersed in the unrelenting experience of brutal combat.

Whether you are a fan of the previous games or just want to experience the absolute best in arcade racing, Burnout Revenge is a game that you won't be able to stop playing once you start, so grab a copy today and clear your calendar for the rest of the year.

You can’t go wrong with a game that’s got beauty, personality, and fun, and Dragon Quest VIII has all these in abundance.

The future of Xbox Live Arcade starts here and today with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

Fable II doesn’t belong to any single genre, instead it paints an engaging tapestry with an interesting story, solid gameplay, beautiful graphics, and near perfect sound.

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood isn't as much a sequel as a completion to the second game, and while this is certainly the best game of the three so far, you probably don't want to jump into the story without having played at least the second game first.

Hardcore RPG fans may complain about the relatively short story, or the lack of detailed resource management – but for the everyday gamer like myself, Jade Empire fits the bill just fine.

May well be the perfect GameCube title. With its amazingly complex racing model even experienced gamers are in for a substantial learning curve and newcomers to the series will be in for quite a shock. Visually stunning and a total blast to play.

I have to say that I highly enjoyed Dark Souls. I'm a huge RPG fan and this is one of the truly exceptional pieces of hardcore gaming available for the console. This is not a game for everyone as it can be quite brutal and demands a lot of time to fully enjoy it.

The world of Kryta is still evolving, as is the game of Guild Wars. This first Guild Wars falls short of legendary status, but from what I’ve seen the Guild Wars series may yet find its place in the PC Hall of Heroes.

While I still enjoy my PS3 trophies and 360 achievements and I’m still a slave to 720p or greater graphics, there is something to be said for totally entertainment and addictive gameplay and Guitar Hero 5 on the Wii obliterates the other formats on pure originality and game design.

The bar has been set and this will be the new standard to beat for all future stealth combat games.

For those who like to scavenger hunt, you can take your 360 memory card around to various retailers and download custom cars exclusive to their own kiosks.

All in all, L.A. Noire wasn't the kind of game I expected out of Rockstar, but it's a bold step forward. While it has some issues to work out, and it could stand to leave some of its roots behind and come into its own, it's a great game from beginning to end. We can only hope that as Rockstar pushes it forward as a franchise, they focus on the parts that made it good.

If you have the system to handle it, Far Cry is a landmark achievement in groundbreaking technology that will not only allow you to show off your expensive new hardware, but let you have one helluva time doing so.

Dead Space is a must own title for anyone who loves science fiction, horror, or any combination of the two. When you combine those elements with such amazing gameplay and stylish design you easily have the makings of a Game of the Year contender. It’s got my vote.

This is the ultimate NASCAR simulation and with downloadable content it will be the last one you ever need unless they change the rules, add a track, or make some other significant change to the sport.

Battlefield 3 deserves to carry on the name of its franchise, and it wouldn't suprise me to see it still being played in years to come as Activision keeps churning out its annual Calls of Duty. It's great to see games being designed for the PC in this day and age, and the pace, atmosphere, and level design is neigh-perfect. When a multiplayer game's only downfalls are slight inaccessibility and a mediocre single player campaign, there's something terrific happening.

Not only has Dead Space 2 set the bar impossibly high for all future survival horror games, it is one of the few PS3 games that is virtually identical in gameplay and technical quality to the Xbox 360. T

Human Revolution surpasses the original in every way possible and redefines the Action-RPG for a new generation of gamers and game designers.

It's got more action than "Splinter Cell" and plays better than "Breakdown," plus you have the character of Riddick, crass, egotistical, and tough as nails.

This game has so much detail at every level of production. It’s much more than a track pack (like AC-DC) and it blows away specific band-themed games like Metallica.

Easy to pick up and impossible to put down (except to flush the toilet), you'll be totally hooked from the moment you pick this game up until the day you "think" you've mastered it, and even then your quest for perfection will compel you to keep playing until the day you die.

If you want a period piece action-adventure with a great story then Mafia II is still the game of choice. If you prefer a slower-paced game that requires you to collect evidence to fill your notebook then subsequently check off those items in your notebook one by one, either through travel or intense conversations, then L.A. Noire is the game for you. Loaded with style but short on substance, L.A. Noire is definitely worth checking out, if only to witness the best facial mo-cap in gaming history, but you can do that with a rental.

If variety is the spice of life then Insomniac has created a next-gen spice rack and filled it perfect visuals, awesome sound and music, creative weapons and gadgets, great gameplay, and tied it all together with an amazing story that will leave you on the edge of your seat as the final credits start to roll.

Double Agent is fun, exciting, intense, and definitely a great send-off title for the classic Xbox. What it lacks in 360 visuals it more than makes up for in substance and gameplay and that is what ultimately counts.

Fans of the series will like this installment and newcomers to Metal Gear Solid like me will enjoy it as well.

As I mentioned I'm far from good with a digital art studio than compared to pencil and paper media but I think I have a greater appreciation and interest in it now after trying for the last week. Colors! 3D is a must own app on the Nintendo 3DS for anyone that is artistically inclined.

NBA 2K11 is the best basketball game I've ever seen.

2K Sports has really outdone themselves and everyone else.

A landmark achievement in game design starting with the addictively fun core gameplay, instinctive controls, then rounding out the package with gorgeous visuals, stunning special effects, and professional sound work.

There is a level of complexity in the gameplay that makes this game challenging for experts, but those same controls can be ignored and even novices can enjoy a single-button return system for casually knocking the ball around.

While the game is heavily scripted you are given a surprising amount of latitude in how you accomplish your missions. The story is engrossing, the script professionally crafted, and the game features missions that rely more on stealth and covert tactics than combat and aggression.

Both of these racers are flawless examples of perfect game design, creativity, fun, and enduring gameplay that will keep you glued to your 360 until the next installment arrives.

This game has it all; stunning visuals, crisp and powerful sound, finely tuned gameplay for single and multiplayer, endless replay value and the promise of future content via download.

I can’t think of a more perfect product to celebrate 100 years of aviation or 20 years of simulating flight on the PC. There is so much to learn and so much to do, and you’ll have weeks, months, and even year’s worth of fun doing it.

It's hard to believe Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has finally arrived let alone lived up to all the hype surrounding it.

Not only did it offer a refreshingly factual wartime story with real characters, real events, and real places, it put it all inside a highly polished game that blends action with squad-based tactics and strategy.

Limbo will assault your senses and challenge your intellect with one of the best puzzle-adventure games I've ever played on any system.

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood isn't as much a sequel as a completion to the second game, and while this is certainly the best game of the three so far, you probably don't want to jump into the story without having played at least the second game first.

DJ Hero 2 is a significant improvement on last year's original title.

EA's NHL 11 Hockey celebrates it's 20th year as a franchise by giving us a near perfect sports game. Its only downsides are minor framerate issues and the lack of a "team builder" module.

Namco has achieved perfection on all fronts’ gameplay, graphics, sound, and longevity.

An extremely well done shooter as far as the action goes, and only suffers from a few flaws such as the lack of level and enemy variety. If you can overlook those flaws, you will have a lot of fun battling a very elusive AI, which makes each and every firefight a unique and exciting experience.

This is easily the most fun I have had playing a video game in 2005 and I can't recommend it highly enough. With any luck this will spin-off into a TV series – it's just THAT GOOD!

Hockey players and fans will be thrilled by this game, and even casual fans will find the game engaging, easy to pick up and play, and nearly impossible to put down.. NHL 10 is more of a simulation than a 'game' as such, but they know exactly what needed to be done and when and did it.

In a world where sequels almost never do better than their originals, BioShock 2 does an impressive job of holding its own.

Competition has pushed EA this far and quite honestly they have just about buried 2K in the snow.

I was totally captivated from the moment I inserted the disc, and the need to sleep was the only thing that kept me from finishing this game in a single session (I did it in two).

It has a solid and compelling single-player mode that only gets better when you play it cooperatively, and with a huge fan base, numerous multiplayer maps and games modes, and perfectly balanced gameplay for teams and individuals, and even a Spectator mode, what happens in Vegas is now open for all the world to see.

If all the features that come with the game aren’t enough value for your hard earned gaming dollar, well you’ll be playing for at least 60-80 hours on the campaign alone.

While there are a few things I miss like the comedic, springy rope knockdowns, I have to say that this year's version of the game is easily better.

As the name might suggest, Rayman Origins takes us back to the roots of platform gaming, both in its simple 2D, side-scrolling presentation and its fundamental gameplay concepts of running and jumping; not unlike a certain Italian plumber we all know. What was one of the greatest console platform games of 2011 has just become the first great handheld game of 2012 and a must-buy launch title for anyone with a new PlayStation Vita.

Project Gotham Racing 3 isn’t as next-gen as the hardware you are playing it on, but it is nonetheless a solid and serious racing game and a definite improvement over "PGR2."

I love the maps; love the weapons, and especially the vehicles. We’re always looking for a few good men and this is some of the best team-based multiplayer available.

That being said, for those gamers who skipped the original 2011 release, Mortal Kombat Komplete is a phenomenal fighting game and well worth the $60 asking price. But for those who already own the original title there is little reason to pony up that kind of cash given that the entirety of Komplete's included DLC can be already be purchased for less than $20.

Despite a few nagging gameplay issues, Pinball FX2 is certainly the best pinball game this generation of console is likely to see, and with the unending challenge of the leaderboards and all of the exciting DLC that is sure to follow, there is no reason that any aspiring pinball wizard with an Xbox 360 should pass on this title.

EA's NHL 11 Hockey celebrates it's 20th year as a franchise by giving us a near perfect sports game. Its only downsides are minor framerate issues and the lack of a "team builder" module.

Adds a generous heaping of additional content to an already vast game.

I admit I had my doubts about Black Ops. It seemed that Modern Warfare 2 was going to be impossible to top, but Treyarch has come in and trounced that game in every possible way.

I'm guessing if you have a PC capable of running this game then that would be the preferred format, but if you are resigned to playing your games on a console then The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings - Enhanced Edition is a competent port and an adventure worthy of your time and money.

It’s not often that a console title can make the successful leap to a handheld, but when that handheld version actually surpasses the console in many key factors, you know you have something special.

The gameplay and graphics are really very good and the value is through the roof here.

You don't play Doom 3; you experience Doom 3. I was reminded of those haunted mansions or "dark rides" they have at theme parks with all of the scripted scares.

If there was a way to make the Tekken series better I certainly don't know what it is. It’s like somebody took all the previous Tekken games and put them in a blender then filtered out the bad stuff and out pops Tekken: Dark Resurrection.

One of the most original designs and interesting twists you can put on the FPS genre while maintaining an equal amount of classic platform and action gameplay.

A blend of the very best that simulation games have to offer, with all of the raucous entertainment of a good pirate film.

Modern Warfare 3 is perfection when it comes to story and gameplay, and it's only going to get better as more DLC arrives and the game is refined and balanced as the designers analyze real-time data from all the matches being played.

The addition of the creation center has put FIFA 11 Soccer in a class by itself, straddling the fine line between reality and gaming amazingly well.

I had high hopes for Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit when I saw it at E3, but I never dreamed it would be this amazing, and certainly not good enough to unseat my reigning favorite, Split/Second, but with gorgeous virtual-real-world graphics, license cars, and awesome competitive action, online and off, Hot Pursuit is in a league of its own and quite possibly the best racing game of 2010.

The slick visuals and awesome sound and music rival anything you have ever played on a console.