All in all Emily the Strange: Strangerous was interesting to play and it sparked an interest in my sister about her series of books but not something I see myself doing any second playthroughs.

At the mere mention of the name Final Fantasy IV, I was all over the opportunity to review this game. This is one of my favorite Final Fantasy of all time and easily one of the greatest RPGs ever made. It has memorable characters, awesome music and a story that is truly exceptional. You would be crazy not to pick up the Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection for PSP. Doesn't matter if you've played it a few times or a hundred, this is a RPG for the ages.

The bottom line is that any action gamer looking for awesome multiplayer combat with classes, skills, and upgrades, or any Transformer fan looking for a cool prequel story to the upcoming movie will love Dark of the Moon. I know I did.

The bottom line is that any action gamer looking for awesome multiplayer combat with classes, skills, and upgrades, or any Transformer fan looking for a cool prequel story to the upcoming movie will love Dark of the Moon. I know I did.

Sadly, there are a lot better FPS and tactical-RPG games out there for the Xbox; far too many to recommend Brink to anyone unless they have already played all the rest. If you're curious give it a rental but avoid a purchase until it drops to $29. Maybe, by then, they'll have patched the remaining bugs.

Brink could have been a great game, both solo and online if a little more work had gone into it.

Ultimately, Red Faction Armageddon isn't a bad game so much as it's a disappointment. While it achieves what it set out to do, providing a linear, set piece-based shooter reminiscent of early Red Faction games, it's a shame to see this kind of step back after the last game dared to take the series in an interesting new direction.

All said, I still favor the formula of the original Red Faction over the more recent releases – but there is no denying that there is immense enjoyment to be had in in destruction, and Volition has never disappointed in this aspect. Armageddon may lack the storyline components of the prior releases, but it more than makes up for it in terms of overall action and gameplay ingenuity – and while I may never be able to recapture the experience of the original Red Faction, I can see many more hours of magnet gun follies in my future.

Yar's revenge was made for the avid rail shooter but at the price of 10$ It doesn't justify the length of the game at only six levels and the fact that it was a direct port in with no changes to the menu from the Xbox version. I do recommend before you buy this game you keep in mind this game has nothing to do with the 1980s version other than the name so even for nostalgia's sake I would think twice.

All told, Virtua Tennis is a well-put-together tennis game with some strategic depth and an arcade flare.

I enjoyed this new vision of Mortal Kombat more than any previous edition in the franchise. It has some issues, mostly in the single-player game, but all the hardcore fighters are here for the human-on-human interactions so it probably isn't a deal-breaker. If you love Mortal Kombat or just want to play an uber-violent and bloody fighting game then Mortal Kombat is the reigning champ and definitely worth adding to your collection.

There are 30 songs available in the game yet less than half are really suited for dancing or at least the intense dancing that DDR and Dance Central has made us come to expect. The sound quality is awesome, but sadly, all the best dance songs are also the hardest and most difficult to play, let alone master.

Body and Brain Connection might just test your self-esteem more than your brain. Playing alone was okay but playing in a party environment was just so much more fun when everybody could laugh and make fun of the person who was getting "roasted" by the professor. It's probably more stressful than educational, and with only 20 games and three difficulty levels you probably won't play long enough to make any real self-improvement. I'll stick with my DS brain exercises for the time being.

At the end of my aquatic run I found Atlantis: Legend of the Mermaids to be both very challenging and fun. It's comical presentation and solid controls make it a joy to play.

ExerBeat is not for gamers, and it was never meant to be. If you are looking to work up a sweat and get better feedback than you would just watching an aerobics video, though, ExerBeat works pretty well.

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.

For Dead or Alive fans, Dimensions is a sort of collected archive, with lots of characters and stages that have all appeared in previous titles. There isn't a whole of new stuff technically, but it is all so expertly executed on the 3DS, that you really don't mind. And the way newcomers are eased into the combat, it really makes it a Dead or Alive for everyone. This is one of the strongest releases yet for the 3DS yet, and definitely one worth picking up for any fighting fan. And if that didn't sell you on it, there may or may not be an unlockable stage featuring Ridley from Metroid, which is just plain cool.

Granted, Battleground is intended to be played online, but more often than not the online lobbies are empty. This lack of popularity all-but signs the death warrant for an online-heavy game like Battlegrounds - as a significant portion of the game's longevity is thrown out the window when there is nobody to play it with. In closing, while Red Faction: Battlegrounds is certainly a serviceable spiritual successor to the classic Atari game Combat, it really has little to offer for veteran gamers looking for more than an arena-based blast fest.

MotorStorm: Apocalypse is essentially a 20+ hour experience of non-stop WOW moments. If Michael Bay were making video games then this is the game he would be making, so if you love that epic style of cinematic destruction and global disaster combined with intense competitive racer AI and purely instinctive and reflexive gameplay then take one final spin through San Francisco before the city and your race tracks sink into the ocean.

I've played less than ten games on my PS3 and reviewed only three and I'm proud to count SOCOM 4 as one of those games. Playing this game solo brought back memories of Full Spectrum Warrior with all the squad-based tactics and ordering options, and playing co-op was like reliving all my best Tom Clancy moments, and the online versus modes had all the fun of MAG with the added bonus of the incredible Bomb Squad mode. And while it may never be able to compete with Call of Duty in sheer popularity, SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs definitely wins when it comes to reality.

I loved PlayStation Move Heroes for what it is – not what everyone was hoping or expecting it to be. This is a fun and challenging collection of party games enjoyable for one or two players that puts Sony's unique motion control system to great use. And the fact that Sony decided to put six of their most famous characters into the game doesn't sell those franchises short. It merely reignites and fuels an interest in those characters and their stories so we can start looking forward to their next-gen sequels. Heroes is a great party game for young and old, family and friends.

For a game priced at the low price of $9.99 I can't say I was expecting much but I was proven wrong by the Nemesys developers and their addicting game. A simple idea of land grab coupled with the upbeat music had me on the edge of my seat during some close calls with a cannonball just missing me as I reached my goal and captured the land.

In summary, Darkspore, while unexpectedly dissimilar to Spore and not without its flaws, is an enjoyable hack-and-slash action RPG.

Dissidia 012[duodecim] FINAL Fantasy is a unique title has a lot to offer. The sheer amount of things to do, deep customization and fantastic character line-up make Dissidia 012[duodecim] FINAL Fantasy an absolute must for Final Fantasy fans and PSP owners.

It's definitely worth a shot if your Naruto fan, and even if your not it's a satisfactory brawler.

[Quotation Forthcoming]

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.

Dark Energy Digital sets the bar incredibly high for every other developer out there as a company that not only cares and supports their games but continuously strives to improve them even after they have your money. Hydrophobia: Prophecy is not only the best iteration of the game to date, it is by far the most visually stunning and engaging game I've played on my PC since Crysis 2, and for only $12 you won't find a better game or a better bargain.

NASCAR 2011 isn't bad for Eutechnyx's first effort. It's not horrible, it's not great, it's merely okay. But NASCAR should be a great video game. Past games on console and PC certainly provide enough guidance as to what does and doesn't work. Maybe my expectations were too high. The one revelation I found in NASCAR 2011 is I will never be able to race at Bristol. It's too much like driving in Chicago traffic.

Still, the game is a load of fun and arguably the best professional wrestling game to come out in many years. I know that wrestling purists would say that the arcade style slam-and-jam nature of All Stars is not an accurate representation of their beloved sport - but put the controller in their hands for ten minutes, and even the hardest of the diehards will be won over.

Portal 2 may be the best game of 2011. It may be the best game of all-time. It is certainly the best game you can play right now. I loved every moment I spent with Portal 2. I'm even enjoying looking at the game sitting on my shelf knowing how much fun I will have again someday when I revisit Aperture Science, alone or hopefully with a friend who may not have played the game. Portal 2 proves that you don't have to kill things to make a great game and more importantly…science is fun!

Portal 2 may be the best game of 2011. It may be the best game of all-time. It is certainly the best game you can play right now. I loved every moment I spent with Portal 2. I'm even enjoying looking at the game sitting on my shelf knowing how much fun I will have again someday when I revisit Aperture Science, alone or hopefully with a friend who may not have played the game. Portal 2 proves that you don't have to kill things to make a great game and more importantly…science is fun!

Crysis 2 meets and exceeds all my expectations as a sequel and a next-gen shooter.

Crysis 2 meets and exceeds all my expectations as a sequel and a next-gen shooter.

Really there's not much to say about MLB11: The Show for the PS2, other than it's a serviceable MLB title with up-to-date rosters that has been released for an antiquated gaming system that a very small population of gamers is sure to appreciate, but ultimately will go unnoticed.

If you are a hardcore baseball fan, MLB 2K11 is your only option on the Xbox 360 – so I would suggest checking out a demo or renting the game before signing up for the awkward controls. PS3 owners have the option of Sony's MLB11: The Show, which seems to be receiving a lot of attention across the Internet – I would suggest checking that out first.

All in all, Capsized is a solid game. If you're nostalgic for the era of DOS-based 2D shooters like Duke Nukem or Commander Keen, there's a good chance you'll enjoy Capsized. With its classic gameplay and a wide variety of ways to get around, Capsized is a good first effort from Alientrap and a good sign of things to come.

For fans of the films, you can hardly go wrong with the Back to the Future adventure games. If you've already bought the first, then you know the kind of quality you're in for. If you're hesitant and looking to see if it's maintained throughout the series, then you're in luck, because the Back to the Future games are still right up there with the gold standard that Telltale's set for licensed adventure games.

It's a lot of fun and a must by for any Square or SRPG fans.

It's a great game to share with friends.

If you are a hardcore boxing fan and love grinding for stats and money and slowly rising up huge leaderboards then Fight Night Champion is probably the game for you, although from what I can tell, it doesn't really add anything to what you already had in Fight Night 4 other than the whole money thing. Sure, you can square off against 50+ licensed boxers, but for me, the big attraction was the cool story mode with enough blood and F-bombs to force a Mature rating. But even this gritty and realistic boxing story is only good for a few hours of violent fun, making Fight Night Champion a rental for casual boxers and a wait-for-budget-price upgrade for everyone else.

If you love tennis then Top Spin 4 is a must-own game. It rises above all of its predecessors and even surpasses its competition – what little it has - with brilliant presentation values and intuitive, deep, and challenge controls and gameplay. The lines of arcade tennis and professional simulation are nearly transparent, making this a game enjoyable by anyone with a deep or even a passing interest in the sport.

When it comes to racing games I generally prefer fantasy and fun, especially when the NFS brand is being used, but Shift 2 Unleashed successfully blurs those lines of fun versus realistic sim creating a unique and highly competitive, flexible, and totally addicting experience that rewards your mastery of skillful driving techniques and track memorization, making this the most enjoyable racing "sim" I've played on my Xbox 360 to date.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters is really not that much different from years past but the additions this year really have you thinking, "What else can they really do to make this game any better?" I love the new caddie system and how he has your name on his back. The Move is a great switch up and will really test how good you are at swinging a virtual club rather than flicking a stick. The fact that everything leads up to the most revered tournament in golf history definitely brings you back to finish round after round with anticipation.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters is definitely taking the focus from the man and placing it on the event. While Tiger does still enjoy more than his fair share of attention, Augusta is the true star of this year's installment. Every hole is legendary, rich in tradition and history. There is a sense of awe as you make your way around the Amen Corner holes – almost like walking on sacred ground. Gameplay is refined, the career mode is polished, the caddie assist is seamless and cool, and the multiplayer modes and DLC will keep you playing until next year's inevitable sequel.

At the end of the day MLB 11 The Show lets you play your favorite teams and players with decent visuals and stunning music and effects but ultimately strikes out due to the fact its last year's game with new models.

In summary, The Sims Medieval provides an unexpected jumpstart to a series that, while still well loved, was probably due for a refresher. The condensed, more directed gameplay might be hit or miss with Sims veterans and might be different enough from previous Sims games to attract a different demographic. While it's not perfect, however, The Sims Medieval plays well and introduces many new features and exploration options alongside the familiar, all delivered in an attractive package.

I had no real knowledge or expectations going into this review, yet de Blob 2 proved to be one of the more unsuspecting success stories to jumpstart 2011. Kids of all ages will adore the characters and the colorful and moderately challenging gameplay, while parents can rest assured in a family-friendly experience that they won't mind participating in with the fun and non-intrusive co-op mode or even playing themselves once the kids are in bed.

Rango is one of those rare movie games that is actually good. Actually it's fantastic! It also doesn't require you to have seen the film or know anything about these characters. Rango is just as charming as Gex or Abe (from Oddworld) and he stars in one of the best action-platformers of this generation. If you have kids or just want to feel like one for a couple days, Rango is a must-own title.

Above all, it seems like Dragon Age II is an experiment. If you're a fan of the first game and expect a direct continuation, either in story or mechanics, you'll be disappointed. If you're not willing to put up with some rough edges and some mechanics that don't quite work as intended, you'll end up having a hard time. But if you're going for a game that has some of the best storytelling in RPGs in a while, or you're looking for a BioWare RPG to tide yourself over until Mass Effect 3, you won't do much better right now than Dragon Age II.

There might not quite be enough to warrant picking up the game if you're not going to be playing with friends, though if you were, it'd probably be a blast. For the solo player interested in the past of the WWE, it's still worth a look, even if it's not quite worth dropping $60 on at the moment.

Shadow Wars is hands-down the best game available for the Nintendo 3DS among the launch titles. The plot is nothing to write about, but the turn-based tactical gameplay is engaging, and a full run of the game will last about 40 hours.

The worst part is that Asphalt 6 on the iPhone costs $5 and looks and probably plays better than this $40 installment of the series. If you want a racing experience on the 3DS, I hear Ridge Racer is a lot better. Don't waste your time or money with Asphalt 3D.

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.

There is good bit of game to get through here for $10. It has a great style, good music and fun combat. It's violent, it's dark and it gives you quite a few reasons to keep returning. There aren't any reasons not to recommend it -- unless of course you're squeamish.

Aside from the mediocre voice acting and shortness of the game I highly recommend Anomaly: Warzone Earth to everyone with a couple of hours to burn. You won't play through this game just once. You'll keep coming back just to make that one change to your route or upgrade to achieve that perfect score. The mayhem mode is a nice way to let us continue to get our fix after completing Tokyo's city story.

When all is said and done, Ridge Racer 3D is a good game to pick up with your launch system. It's fun to play, surprisingly enduring, and it shows off the system well.

For fans of the films, you can hardly go wrong with the Back to the Future adventure games. If you've already bought the first, then you know the kind of quality you're in for. If you're hesitant and looking to see if it's maintained throughout the series, then you're in luck, because the Back to the Future games are still right up there with the gold standard that Telltale's set for licensed adventure games.

Rift is a true polished gem shining upon the MMO scene and I don't see that light dimming anytime soon. This is truly a must buy for any MMO fans.

I'll admit that I've always wanted to try being a DJ, but that was not meant to be. But with the aid of MusiGames' DJ simulator, I can be a DJ when I want, where I want.

The main game ends up being the most fun, but it can be completed relatively quickly. As far as launch games go, Super Monkey Ball 3D ends up being an impressive one, simply because of the amount of content available.

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

Tales from Space: About a Blob is a solid first effort from DrinkBox Studios, and I recommend not only buying this game, but keeping a close eye on their future titles.

That said, however, Pixeljunk Shooter 2 is an excellent game. With a fresh graphical style, tight controls, and innovative gameplay, it's everything a downloadable game should be. While there are some minor stumbles for the more casual, puzzle-oriented player, that shouldn't discourage anyone who's curious from picking it up.

And while some of the more unique aspects of Beyond Good and Evil might not seem so unique by today's measure – there is no denying that this game is a masterpiece that should not be missed. Get this game, it may be the best eight bucks you spend this week.

Ys I & II Chronicles may not be the first release of this two part adventure it is without a doubt the best version.

For players used to harder-core war games, or who can handle the game having a broader focus than the typical Command & Conquer or Halo Wars, it can be a great buy. For the average gamer, though, it's awfully hard to recommend the game, despite all its depth.

If you're still playing Dawn of War II, or if you're a fan of the Imperial Guard, Retribution is practically a no-brainer. If you're a fan of Warhammer 40,000 or the real-time strategy genre, now's a great time to get started, since Retribution is a standalone game with access to everything from the first two Dawn of War II games, save for their campaigns. Either way, it's a return for one of real time strategy's great names, and certainly worth your time and dollar if you've got any interest in following more of the story of Subsector Aurelia.

Obviously, I cannot recommend Knights Contract unless you are looking for a game that will punish you non-stop with horrible companion AI and frustrating boss battles. While the game has some ambitious elements in story, gameplay, and visual design, it also suffers from inexplicable bad choices in those same areas and more.

The game's sound is about what you'd expect, with announcers narrating the fight (albeit with a limited vocabulary) and meaty thumps, while the graphics are fairly good for the iPhone, though the limited facial expressiveness of fighters tends to result in some pretty goofy faces when the camera focuses on a fighter for a knockdown punch. Still, none of this gets in the way of the core gameplay, and can be pretty easily overlooked by someone who's eager to get at the punching.

I am a bit torn when it comes to Test Drive Unlimited 2. It is definitely not the worst racing game I have played, but it is marred with technical problems that really do affect the gameplay. I would be willing to overlook these issues if the storyline was either better or nonexistent, but as it stands the story is not even enjoyable in an ironic sort of corny way – it is just frustrating to not give a damn about the characters, especially your own.

Ultimately, Homefront a mixed bag. There's a lot of good in the single player game, weighed down by older mechanics and events that pull the player out of the excellent story. Meanwhile, the multiplayer is fairly terrific, but would have been served well by going a little further with the Battle Commander.

Owners of the original won't find any new gameplay levels, but they might enjoy the precise analog-based input the PSP and PS3 sticks provide.

If you're the type of gamer who only gets one or two games each year then Yakuza 4 will certainly keep you busier than anything else coming in 2011. I'm just not sure that the four-part story is strong enough and the gameplay diverse enough to drive all that content.

I love this game, and despite a few forgivable flaws Homefront is easily one of the most immersive and emotional campaigns that come to mind in my 30 years of gaming. Sure, the campaign is short. Deal with it. With that ending there is either going to be a sequel or some killer DLC. Meanwhile, you can reap the rewards and satisfaction of some of the best multiplayer combat we've seen so far in 2011.

I love this game, and despite a few forgivable flaws Homefront is easily one of the most immersive and emotional campaigns that come to mind in my 30 years of gaming. Sure, the campaign is short. Deal with it. With that ending there is either going to be a sequel or some killer DLC. Meanwhile, you can reap the rewards and satisfaction of some of the best multiplayer combat we've seen so far in 2011.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 might be a bit light in the gaming modes, there's no denying that the core gameplay is solid enough stands on its own and has something to offer for every type of gamer. Fighting fans of all flavors will enjoy the hybrid 2D-meets-3D gameplay, the smooth animations, and the excellent character special moves.

f this is the future of the Kinect, then the future is looking bad. Like post-apocalyptic bad. A bowling game could have been a must-buy for the Kinect. If Wii bowling has proven anything, it is that people of all ages and genders love virtual bowling, and pretending to do it can be a total blast. This is not the bowling game that the Kinect deserves, and I would advise waiting until somebody crafts one worthy of the Kinect's impressive abilities.

Killzone 3 is an amazing game that doesn't necessarily push any genre boundaries, but it does push the PS3 and the people who play it to new levels of immersion and realism, creating a revolutionary new gaming experience that no one should miss.

Bulletstorm was a perfect 10 while I was playing it, but when the ride was over and I had to sit back and honestly compare it to the past, present, and future of FPS games, the limitations of the repetitive gameplay worked their way to the surface.

Time Crisis: Razing Storm is pretty lame, which is sad because this franchise is the cornerstone of light-gun gaming and Sony really has the tech available to make it work. Namco really dropped the ball on this release.

Ace Tennis 2010 HD has the potential to be a seriously good tennis game for the iPad if Eurocenter can only fix the issues with the controls and tweak their online code for smoother Wi-Fi gameplay.

I definitely recommend taking Romance of Rome for the iPhone for a spin. It's a worthy addition to the App Store and the adventure genre.

For fans of the films, you can hardly go wrong with the Back to the Future adventure games. If you've already bought the first, then you know the kind of quality you're in for. If you're hesitant and looking to see if it's maintained throughout the series, then you're in luck, because the Back to the Future games are still right up there with the gold standard that Telltale's set for licensed adventure games.

In closing, I really wish Namco would simply come up with one comprehensive disc that contains all of the classic games and put these yearly Namco Museum releases to rest. Instead they keep dishing out these cookie cutter compilations with only a modicum of changes and expect fans to bite. I, for one, have had enough. But I still love Namco's games.

It's a high-octane racing game with great graphics and energetic soundrack that is fun and captivating to play for as long as it lasts. If there were more ways to play or a possible way to add in app purchases for different weapon sets, more tracks, or better vehicles, you'd have a classic.

To go along with all those retro graphics is one awesome soundtrack ripped right from the days of Japanese-inspired coin-ops.

If you love action games that offer ample ways to kill your enemies then Predators is the game for you. While it doesn't tap into the film nearly as much as I would have expected, it does offer a quality Predator experience and one hell of a bloody good time.

Despite these small problems, however, Stacking manages to be an excellent experience.

It might not play as nice as the console version but this is the best skateboard app that can currently fit in your pocket.

Trees of Doom is perfect for the iPhone with pick-up-and-play gaming suited for the gamer on the go.

One suggestion, to make this feature better, is to use Push Notifications to tell you if someone beats your score or challenges you in real time.

The Last King of Africa definitely has the opportunity to bring adventure to a while new generation of mobile gamers.

Ironically, I wasn't all that impressed during my first 15-20 minutes of playing The Hero, but now it is one of my favorite iPad games.

It's challenging gameplay and charming characters are timeless and suitable for gamers of all ages. Don't miss this exception value.

I absolutely recommend picking up Mass Effect 2 for PS3 today. You won't be disappointed.

Shaun should probably stick to the snow for future games.

It is without a doubt one of the best mobile music games out there.