Rome's campaign mode can be a bit daunting for all but the most hardcore RTS veterans.

A technically flawless game with lightning fast load times that allow you to play a round of golf in minutes rather than hours, making this the perfect title for the gamer on the go who needs to play in short spurts.

Whether you are looking for a good 25-30 hour RTS campaign, or just the next big online RTS in the tradition of Magic the Gathering, Impossible Creatures has something inventive and fun for everyone.

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.

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.

A stunning achievement in interactive entertainment. With a solid story, engaging characters, stunning visuals, and delightful dialogue, this is one adventure you simply won’t be able to tear yourself away from.

This is easily the most immersive FPS game you can play now, or anytime in the near future.

The gameplay is fast and furious and the presentation will blow you away with stunning visuals and rich 3D Dolby Digital surround. And even when the non-stop shooting threatens to grow repetitive, the ever-changing level design will keep you on your toes.

Elevates the action genre to new heights while taking the standards of decency to new lows, but in a good way...a British way.

Prey actually delivers both a compelling solo and an outstanding multiplayer FPS experience that will delight FPS fans looking for a truly unique approach to what was becoming a rather stale and predictable genre.

I-Ninja just oozes with a perfect blend of charm, humor, and visual quality that has been long overdue in a platform game. A definite must-own title.

If you've never played GoldenEye then now is your chance to experience a piece of retooled history, and if you are a grumbling diehard fan of the original then suck it up and get with the times. Change is good and GoldenEye 007 has never been better.

You owe it to yourself, and your sims, to give them the widest range of human experience currently available.

Everything from the wake generation to the boat and boarder physics is flawless and you won't find a more original or fun game than Wakeboarding Unleashed.

I really loved Prince of Persia Classic. It was more than just your typical “enhancement” we find in so many other XBLA titles, yet it remained totally true to the source material while cleverly working in a few elements from the more recent console games.

Nothing less than the realization of every Star Wars geek’s version of Cowboys and Indians.

NBA Live 06 might have an overall prettier package, but I'll take better gameplay and a complete package of game modes over flash courtside graphics any day.

So if you own a Kinect (or there is one waiting under the Christmas tree) and you want to experience the best gameplay the hardware has to offer then you definitely want to get Puss in Boots. Not only does it get my vote for best Kinect game and best movie-inspired game, it's probably the best kid-targeted game of the season, if not the entire year.

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.

The best way I could describe Prototype is a mix of GTA meets Wolverine with a dash of Spider-Man thrown in. I haven’t had this much visceral fun and carnal bloodletting since Wolverine, and Prototype is on an entirely different level when it comes to scale, scope of story, and total originality.

But Rare has once again pulled the rabbit from the hat and proved that intelligent game design, charming characters, a grand story, and a next-gen audio and visual presentation is the foundation for an enduring title that should be part of every Xbox 360 game library.

Walks a fine line between serious sim and classic Blitz action and maintains a perfect balance from start to finish.

The changes that have been made to the FF game system are fresh but still similar enough not to alienate old-time FF fans.

Larry makes the transition to next-gen console perfectly and creates his own little naughty slice of niche-genre pie. If you love to laugh you'll love this game.

Shrek Forever After is easily the best Shrek game I have ever played on this or any previous generation system, and is one of my top three "movie games" of all time.

You simply can't imagine what Treyarch has done with the franchise until you see Call of Duty 3 in action. You'll wonder how they got all that game into an Xbox. They have really mastered the technical horsepower of the Xbox and advanced the series in every single way.

Not only has the bullet-time system been refined, the audio-visual presentation is flawless and the additional of a second playable character and tightly integrated story makes this one of the best action games of the year.

It's nice to see a slew of exotics alongside sport compacts. The newest Need for Speed may be the most wanted of the season, being one of the best racing games for now.

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.

A deceptively cool game in that it hooks you almost immediately with its approachable controls and intuitive building-block combos, not to mention the sheer artistry of the graphics and animation. Then once you are entranced the game gets harder, but by then your skills are more than up for the task.

The obvious staying power is in the multiplayer potential whether you gather some friends over for a local foursome or take your skills online for an Opti-Match or enter an XSN tournament.

Flower is the best $10 you can spend on your PS3. It is the most relaxing, soothing, and otherworldly experience any console has ever seen, and only the power of the PS3 can bring something this original and breathtaking into your living room.

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.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is a great game for kids, teens, parents…heck…everybody is going to love this game. I literally couldn’t put it down for five hours until I absolutely had to go to bed and then it was the first thing I played when I woke up until I finished it.

Merges an epic, and oft-times emotional story with challenging gameplay and realistic horseback riding and mounted combat.

The level of challenge and degree of difficulty ramps up smoothly over the course of the game, and all passage of time will slip by, as you become immersed and even hypnotized by the dazzling graphics and stunning music in Child of Eden; one of the most original games I've ever played this year on the PS3 and certainly a perfect fit for the PS Move.

The gameplay is intuitive and accessible to gamers of all ages and skill levels and the interactive environments and charming level design will delight and fascinate all who play and even those who watch somebody else play.

UNO is a fantastic game perfectly suited for the Xbox 360 that will delight kids and adults, the same people who probably already play it with real cards.

If you’re a Guild Wars fan, you really should pick up the best expansion of the series so far. New players who are interested in Guild Wars should also start with Nightfall, considering all the improvements ArenaNet has made.

The audio presentation gets a serious boost with more ambient sounds coming out of every speaker in a crisp, clear Dolby Digital mix.

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.

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.

There are a lot more good lessons to be learned in Bully than bad ones, especially the importance of time management, actually attending classes, and even getting an after school job.

Enslaved is an amazing ride that no action gamer should consider missing.

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

wipEout HD is easily one of the top five, if not top three downloadable games this year. If you’re a fan of the series then this is the best version yet, and if you’ve never played a wipEout game before, strap yourself in and prepare to be amazed.

The ability to use updated roster files from the modding community is another great addition to this game as well.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River isn't the most accessible military FPS game out there, but it certainly is one of the most realistic you'll find on the console if you're up for the challenge. Obviously, sim purists will want to play on the PC where sharper graphics and finer mouse controls will prevail, but mission for mission, and for overall gameplay, both solo and co-op, Red River is a great ride for those with the tactical precision and patience to play.

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.

With an interesting story and unique villains and ancient lore, you will be hopelessly captivated from start to finish each and every time you play this game.

As addictive as crack and as hallucinogenic as LSD, you might need some rehab after a few weeks of Mutant Storm Reloaded.

Ace Combat has finally returned and it's awesome.

It’s one of those games that relies more on instincts and experience than reflexes.

With it’s mix of stealth and supernatural tactics combined with the occasional gunplay, The Darkness is a great addition to the library of any mature gamer looking for a frightfully good time. You might play this game in the dark but you’ll be sleeping with the lights on.

Just be warned when I say it’s violent. It’s insanely violent. There’s blood everywhere. Literally. There’s blood that will make you wonder how it got there. Oh, and corpses, in varying degrees of decay.

The unique blending of 3D gameplay elements blended seamlessly with exquisitely rendered 2D backgrounds works extremely well, and there is so much Egyptian flavor I was half expecting to see the National Geographic or Discovery Channel logo in the corner of the screen.

For older teens and adult gamers, it may get a bit dull or annoying in certain spots. However, if you're under 13, or looking for a way to have fun with your kids while playing a video game, you won't be disappointed.

With a diverse set of gameplay areas, countless missions, challenges, and collectibles, and the unlimited potential of the Toy Box mode, Toy Story 3 is easily one of the best movie-license games of all times and the perfect way to enhance the film trilogy and carry on the exploits of these delightful and entertaining characters to infinity and beyond…

For gamers who have never played the originals, this is gaming history updated to an impressive level of visual quality that even manages to update the gameplay.

Easily the best in the series adding improved AI, stunning graphics, and persistent gameplay features like notoriety and weapon upgrades that carry over through all the missions.

But with so much content, miles of mountainside, hours of music, addictive mini-games, hilarious movies, park editor, online leaderboards, sleds, snowmobiles and even bathtubs, Amped 3 is in a class all its own.

If you enjoy intense racing, against the clock or against other cars, realistic scenery, and the occasional fender bender, you won’t find a better racing game than DiRT. Rally racing has been reborn...welcome to the next generation.

A great game that will likely appeal to action gamers more than role-players.

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.

It is certainly refreshing to have game companies competing without exclusive licenses. It’s great for us and as former Wisconsin and NHL coach Bob Johnson used to say, “It’s a great day for hockey!”

A streamlined version of its predecessor, relieving you of the tedious tasks of micromanaging skills and clunky inventory boxes, thus freeing you to play the game and experience the rich story and immersive world that Ion Storm has prepared for you.

What makes it special are the breathtaking graphics, flawless character animation, great musical score, cool cut scenes, great story full of startling twists, and a unique card battle system that's surprisingly fun.

EA does it again with FIFA Soccer 09. I am amazed that there are still those who swear Pro Evolution is the best soccer game. FIFA Soccer 09 has everything Pro Evo has, plus the kitchen sink. FIFA is simply the best soccer game on any platform.

Dead Head Fred is one of my top favorite PSP games of the year. I haven’t had this much fun with a corpse since that frat party back in…err…I mean since Stubbs on the Xbox.

Advent Rising is interactive fiction at its finest. This is what Halo wanted to be; hell, it’s what Star Wars wanted to be. Orson can write circles around George Lucas when it comes to stories, characters, and dialogue.

F.E.A.R. 3 is a fantastic FPS game that blends exciting combat with plenty of scares and non-stop suspense.

With its emphasis on grinding and painting rather than going for crazy tricks and high scores, there is something fresh about the gameplay.

With great graphics, excellent sound effects and some of the most fun and hilarious characters I’ve seen in any recent PC game, Bandits: Phoenix Rising is one of the best car combat games you can get for your PC.

If you love Monopoly then the iPad is the only way to play it – even if you have the real game sitting in the closet.

It’s not often I can wholeheartedly recommend a game for mandatory purchase, especially at full price, but Burnout Legends is one of those games that is just so much fun that you won’t be able to resist.

It spans nearly every genre including arcade, FPS, action, platform; there is even some stealth-action ripped right from Metal Gear Solid 2 if you remember hiding in that box and sneaking through the ship, and Madagascar even gives a nod to classic arcade games like Frogger, Simon and the crane game.

Liberation is a perfect example of just how powerful the PSP is, and a great way to experience console action in the palm of your hand.

Sadly, Test Drive Unlimited is probably the closest I will ever get to Oahu, but thanks to Eden and some of the best environmental visuals I have seen this year, I can comfortably say I have already been there.

I played three games before reading the manual or even checking out the controller config screen and was shouting at the screen and having the time of my life.

This is the surprise action game of the year, not that the arrival is any surprise; D3 has been hyping this title for nearly two years, but the sheer quality and originality of gameplay, mostly thanks to a single little throwing weapon, makes this a must-play title for any action gamer.

With ample structured gameplay and the endless sandbox mode, there is limitless gameplay potential here, so if you enjoy this type of city-building and resource management game then it doesn't get any better than Virtual City HD.

Easily the best motorcycle racing game currently available for the PS2 and is probably one of the top 5 games in the entire racing genre at this time. The visuals are nearly flawless and the presentation is network quality.

But if any MMO game were to ever stand a chance of luring me back into the monthly-pay-to-play model, SWTOR is certainly it. With its movie-like presentation, engaging stories, and seemingly endless quest potential, this is one RPG that gets harder to put down the longer you keep playing. And I haven't even fully tapped into the advanced material like Guilds and serious PVP play. Combine all of this great content with one of the most stable and trouble-free launches in MMO history and you have your new role-model to which all other MMO games should aspire. Welcome to the future of online role-playing.

With an intriguing story, varied and fun gameplay, awesome graphics, a catchy soundtrack, and tons and tons of stuff to do, Persona 3 is easily one of the best RPGs to come out for the PS2 this year, if not the best, period.

The amazing graphics and overall experience earn EA the GCM editor’s choice award this year, but they still have room for improvement. If they keep up this level of improvement, NHL 09 is going to be amazing!

In the Groove is loaded with original music, modes, and brilliant game design that is targeted toward the more advanced dancer.

Remains a solid, hard-hitting fighting game that requires skillful mastery of it characters and their unique fighting abilities all wrapped up nicely in a next-gen package that no fighting fan will want to miss.

You will be hard pressed to find another fantasy RTS game that has the engrossing background and storyline of Kohan II: Kings of War.

Guitar Hero 5 isn’t the best game the industry can offer but it has made huge leaps, and for once, this time, they are all in the right direction.

THQ has set the bar incredibly high for EA's upcoming MMA game. UFC Undisputed 2010 is probably the best fighting game ever made. The massive improvement over last year’s game is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Yukes development team.

A fantastic game that offers dual play modes, challenging puzzles, a progressive character development system, and balanced gameplay that is great for gamers of all skills and ages.

UFC Undisputed 3 is a great game for any fight fan. It's a perfect mix of boxing and WWE showmanship with the cuts and cauliflower ears to prove it.

Doom 3 is more of an experience than a game. I was reminded of those haunted mansions or “dark rides” they have at theme parks.

A fantastic action-strategy title that not only captures the essence of Star Trek, but delivers a diverse amount of content that spans 40 years of history and three eras of Trek lore. This is a must-own title for anyone who claims to be a Trekkie.

A must-have title. It's not as fast or unrealistically fun as "SSX3" but it wasn’t meant to be. This is serious snowboarding that almost takes the sport into its own niche sub-genre.

And even though I still have no desire to play Civilization on the PC, Civilization Revolution has become one of my favorite 360 games of the year.

I loved the rock concert atmosphere and awesome soundtrack, and the naturalistic track designs were inspired and expertly crafted so they work independently or when merged together for longer runs.

If you are fan of Warhammer or just RTS games in general then you owe it to yourself to buy and play this game. It might be a long time before you play anything else.