It does have charming graphics and sound, but the maddening grind really drives down the fun factor.

The only real complaint is that after more than a half dozen iterations, it’s about time that From Software stopped resting on its laurels with the game engine and upgrade the quality of the models with some visual panache.

There is a great feeling of wonder and magic in this latest Potter game, assuming you have the patience to discover it.

Rabbids: Alive & Kicking is definitely a unique approach to playing around with those mischievous critters. Much of the insanity and charm is back along with some new physical gameplay that might prove a bit too much for those, like myself, who come unprepared.

While some gamers will be turned off by a “watch helplessly” battle mode, many others will enjoy the intriguing and thoughtful combat design elements incorporated into Chariots of War.

While many might argue that their “free” golf game controls better, there is no denying it lacks the structure and gameplay modes that Tiger delivers in full.

The bright colors and cheery graphics design make this platform title as much fun to look at as it is to play.

Despite being sandwiched between two high-profile music games, Boom Boom Rocket offers a unique and vibrant gameplay experience that is really unmatched by anything else out there.

Playing this game is, overlooking a few control issues, just simply enjoyable. There is nothing too demanding in the way of strategy, it's just a matter of shooting everything.

Sonic is more suited to 3D platformers than racing, even if he is the fastest thing out there.

Shrek the Third takes a great 360 title and compacts it down into the palm of your hand while maintaining all the great gameplay at only a small cost in visuals.

I definitely recommend picking it up.

If you’re a console gamer intrigued by the Sims games but don’t own a PC, Sims 2 Pets for PS2 may be fun for you to try, especially if you also enjoy virtual pets. Otherwise, the PC version is definitely your better bet.

It’s a unique racing experience that isn’t quite arcade and certainly not simulation. As long as you know what to expect going in you won’t be disappointed and you might even be a bit surprised.

Certainly an improvement on its predecessor, but it still lacks the visual punch to offer any competition with the PC or Xbox games.

America's Army: Rise of a Soldier may lack the polish and panache of Ubisoft's other military shooters, but it does hit the marks where it counts – convincing gameplay.

Don’t be fooled by the charming graphics. There is a fairly complex boxing model and elaborate combo system that requires timing, reflexes, and intuition if you ever hope to complete this lengthy and comprehensive boxing game.

The mix of spells, weapons, and melee is great and presents an ongoing challenge throughout the levels with the various demons and boss fights.

Some of the mini-games are just impossible (for me) and it usually seemed to be those games that were on the squares I needed to make the required line(s) to graduate.

As I said before, it may not be perfect, but it's a step in the right direction for the genre. It'll be interesting to see what improvements come to the game as the minor bugs are ironed out. And even more interesting will be where we go next, now that Nuclear Dawn has shown us what a game is capable of doing.

I’ve passed this game around to people who have never even held a PSP before and they have picked up on the gameplay in less than ten minutes and have enjoyed it just as much as I have.

Earth 2160 is pretty much a game by RTS experts for RTS experts. This game is not novice friendly by any stretch of the imagination.

With a little more work, this game could have been exceptional, but unfortunately, it stops its ascent to greatness with simply average.

I loved Spider-Man: Friend or Foe on the console and the DS version offers a fun and challenging smaller scale version of that same game with some clever touchscreen puzzle elements thrown into the mix.

It’s long, and it’s deep with ample replay potential for those of you that enjoy such games. Otherwise, it’s very hard to recommend to someone new to the genre. Once you get the hang of it, SAW is very well researched and quite challenging.

This is simply an underground fighter that is more of a diversion and a guilty pleasure for those who like brutal street fighting with a bit of martial arts elegance.

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

Sadly, Crash of the Titans is just more of the same in a new wrapper.