Unless you're truly a glutton for punishment or simply have to own everything the words "Final" or "Fantasy" in it, go ahead and skip this one.

Who knew that having the frame of my vehicle obscure my view of the racetrack in a corner or that trading the inside lane for the clarity of my headlights during a nighttime race would bring me an enjoyment I've never found in sim racing games before?

Who knew that having the frame of my vehicle obscure my view of the racetrack in a corner or that trading the inside lane for the clarity of my headlights during a nighttime race would bring me an enjoyment I've never found in sim racing games before?

Who knew that having the frame of my vehicle obscure my view of the racetrack in a corner or that trading the inside lane for the clarity of my headlights during a nighttime race would bring me an enjoyment I've never found in sim racing games before?

3D effect really, really, really hurts.

But the most surprising aspect is how polished the game is - not just in its approach to storytelling, but in general gameplay and its mechanics.

Madden's first outing on the 3DS is disappointing, not for its gameplay but for its lack of multiplayer and rushed 3D graphics. Sadly, it feels incomplete and there's little reason for a purchase, especially with Madden 12 just a few short months away.

A tiny game that costs full price.

Even though the combat is thrilling and the premise somewhat interesting, this DLC's very short and clumsily constructed story in detriment of gameplay makes skipping it an easy decision.

Even though the combat is thrilling and the premise somewhat interesting, this DLC's very short and clumsily constructed story in detriment of gameplay makes skipping it an easy decision.

Even though the combat is thrilling and the premise somewhat interesting, this DLC's very short and clumsily constructed story in detriment of gameplay makes skipping it an easy decision.

The main problem is that even with the replay value in each level, you probably won't really feel like replaying everything again. Unless you're a true completionist, there's not much of a draw to replaying a level that's essentially the same thing as a number of other stages.

The main problem is that even with the replay value in each level, you probably won't really feel like replaying everything again. Unless you're a true completionist, there's not much of a draw to replaying a level that's essentially the same thing as a number of other stages.

The main problem is that even with the replay value in each level, you probably won't really feel like replaying everything again. Unless you're a true completionist, there's not much of a draw to replaying a level that's essentially the same thing as a number of other stages.

Slam Bolt Scrappers is packed to the brim with risks. And it's also full of rewards. Despite the chaotic nature, the infrequent failures followed by "Wait, what just happened?", and the lack of online multiplayer, you should still go spend money on Slam Bolt Scrappers right now.

Streamlines and updates the franchise at the cost of some stiff features and aging presentation.

Streamlines and updates the franchise at the cost of some stiff features and aging presentation.

A competent re-imagining of an outrageous spectacle that has been entertaining fans for more than half a century. Gladiatorial machismo is the source material of the game, as it should be; it doesn't need to be more than that.

A competent re-imagining of an outrageous spectacle that has been entertaining fans for more than half a century. Gladiatorial machismo is the source material of the game, as it should be; it doesn't need to be more than that.

An awesome piece of very approachable (if not plain too easy) fan service and, in this case, pleasing fans ain't bad at all.

An awesome piece of very approachable (if not plain too easy) fan service and, in this case, pleasing fans ain't bad at all.

The problem with Pilotwings Resort is that there just isn't much to do.

An excellent fighting game, especially for a handheld, and just about the best 3DS launch title. But if you already own Super on a console, gimmicky 3D and a small smattering of new features doesn't come close to warranting yet another purchase of the game.

The racing is solid, to be sure, but for a game that puts so much stock in its three-dimensional presentation, it's a surprisingly flat experience.

Full House Poker is a full-featured Texas Hold 'Em simulator full of personality and depth.

Trying to mix things up is a commendable effort, but P.A.M. just comes off as a lazy attempt to revive a previously saturated genre. If there were more tracks and game modes, there could've been a much better game to speak of here. As it stands, Post Apocalyptic Mayhem is a ridiculously overpriced download that you should not waste your money with.

The level design, added mini-games, and continuous action make the campaign surprisingly entertaining.

The level design, added mini-games, and continuous action make the campaign surprisingly entertaining.

Even though this version of Torchlight has its fair share of recurring issues, it's likely to hit the loot hunger spot for Xbox 360 owners. If you're a veteran of the original, though, there's very little here that you haven't seen before.

While most FPS like CoD series or Halo do improve in each iteration, this is one of the few games that dramatically enhances its previous installment. This is the new FPS, the thinking man's FPS, and I can't wait to get my second playthrough started.

While most FPS like CoD series or Halo do improve in each iteration, this is one of the few games that dramatically enhances its previous installment. This is the new FPS, the thinking man's FPS, and I can't wait to get my second playthrough started.

While most FPS like CoD series or Halo do improve in each iteration, this is one of the few games that dramatically enhances its previous installment. This is the new FPS, the thinking man's FPS, and I can't wait to get my second playthrough started.

But whatever "fun" might be experienced is abbreviated by a terrifyingly bad plot, and frustrating gameplay choices. While it's true that comparisons may be drawn to God of War, or Devil May Cry, they will always inevitably end with the statement: "Go play those instead."

But whatever "fun" might be experienced is abbreviated by a terrifyingly bad plot, and frustrating gameplay choices. While it's true that comparisons may be drawn to God of War, or Devil May Cry, they will always inevitably end with the statement: "Go play those instead."

Beyond Good & Evil gives gamers a timeless cast filled with originality, depth, and memorable lines including the "Chili con carne" battle-cry.

Taken by itself, Homefront's campaign is just plain disappointing. A promising concept ultimately falls flat in the fast-paced, "I don't have time for reading" first-person shooter genre. Once you've accomplished all of the objectives in single-player, the game just "ends". Someone obviously wanted to leave room for a sequel. That person is saved by Homefront's well-designed multiplayer.

Taken by itself, Homefront's campaign is just plain disappointing. A promising concept ultimately falls flat in the fast-paced, "I don't have time for reading" first-person shooter genre. Once you've accomplished all of the objectives in single-player, the game just "ends". Someone obviously wanted to leave room for a sequel. That person is saved by Homefront's well-designed multiplayer.

Taken by itself, Homefront's campaign is just plain disappointing. A promising concept ultimately falls flat in the fast-paced, "I don't have time for reading" first-person shooter genre. Once you've accomplished all of the objectives in single-player, the game just "ends". Someone obviously wanted to leave room for a sequel. That person is saved by Homefront's well-designed multiplayer.

If the Kinect can't muster up a decent game and fast, it'll be hard for anyone to wash their mouths of the bad taste games like Body and Brain Connection leave behind.

Combine the fact the game just isn't engaging with the same four or five environments for battles, the constant flow of graphical glitches and the bland dialog between characters, and I have no idea why anyone thought this would be a good game.

In their reimagining of Dragon Age II, Bioware has transferred one too many points from storytelling and exploration to combat.

In their reimagining of Dragon Age II, Bioware has transferred one too many points from storytelling and exploration to combat.

In their reimagining of Dragon Age II, Bioware has transferred one too many points from storytelling and exploration to combat.

As it stands, Severed falls a little short of the DLC value proposition and doesn't have the depth of gameplay to boot.

As it stands, Severed falls a little short of the DLC value proposition and doesn't have the depth of gameplay to boot.

Rift's potential is what's most impressive about it. Here's a game that's already accomplished more than half of what all those "WoW-killers" ever did, and it's still in its infancy. Does it have its issues? Of course. Would I rather play WoW? Right now, yes I would. But Blizzard's had over seven years to develop its product, and Trion's just getting started.

Dungeons' biggest problem is really the up-front investment it requires.

Sure, it's fun, but partway through, I had Disgaea 2 back in my PSP to remind myself that I've played this before.

Even with multiplayer modes that are mostly fun and the constant leaderboard competition to be had with friends and strangers online, Blitz is pretty much the same game you can play for cheap (or free) elsewhere, except with a new coat of paint and a heftier price tag.

The concept is great, but the fact that this title doesn't set itself apart from other sport-themed games is dissatisfying, especially since it involves one of the most beloved characters in video game history.

It's highly likely that if you spent any energy at all anticipating Pokémon Black and White, you're going to be ridiculously pleased with whichever version you choose. For Pokévirgins who are curious as to what it's all about, this is a fine place to start.

It's highly likely that if you spent any energy at all anticipating Pokémon Black and White, you're going to be ridiculously pleased with whichever version you choose. For Pokévirgins who are curious as to what it's all about, this is a fine place to start.

The sprites are big and pretty, the world is colorful, and the music is lively and fitting (though loops annoyingly in some spots), so even when I'm not engrossed it's still fun to look at. Makes me want to watch it play out on YouTube more than my console.

At it stands, Test Drive Unlimited 2 is like a used Ferrari with a broken passenger seat - a solid ride as long as the player doesn't mind some of the nicks and bumps and is willing to drive mostly alone.

At it stands, Test Drive Unlimited 2 is like a used Ferrari with a broken passenger seat - a solid ride as long as the player doesn't mind some of the nicks and bumps and is willing to drive mostly alone.

At it stands, Test Drive Unlimited 2 is like a used Ferrari with a broken passenger seat - a solid ride as long as the player doesn't mind some of the nicks and bumps and is willing to drive mostly alone.

It makes an excellent addition to households with a wide age-group of gamers, but is entertaining enough that younger siblings aren't needed to justify owning a copy.

It makes an excellent addition to households with a wide age-group of gamers, but is entertaining enough that younger siblings aren't needed to justify owning a copy.

Sadly, Bulletstorm's multiplayer features make it a mixed bag, but there is a solid and enjoyable single-player campaign mode in there.

Sadly, Bulletstorm's multiplayer features make it a mixed bag, but there is a solid and enjoyable single-player campaign mode in there.

Champion mode is so good, in fact, that the more traditional Legacy mode feels hopelessly archaic and soulless by comparison.

Champion mode is so good, in fact, that the more traditional Legacy mode feels hopelessly archaic and soulless by comparison.

Sadly, Bulletstorm's multiplayer features make it a mixed bag, but there is a solid and enjoyable single-player campaign mode in there. The only question is whether that's enough to justify a purchase over a rental.

In trying to be all things to all gamers, Guerrilla has lost sight of what they do best: letting you shoot interesting enemies with cool weapons in beautiful environments. By filling Killzone 3 to the brim with extras, they've let the core game suffer. And while the well-designed multiplayer has been left largely intact, the changes will certainly irk fans of its predecessor.

It might have taken Telltale a little bit longer to put out this episode, but it was worth the wait. Like It's About Time, Get Tannen is on the shorter side. On the other hand, that only goes to show how well Telltale has gotten with the pacing since there's hardly a spot you can get stuck in, unlike some of their earlier adventure game seasons.

For a portable game, it's a time sink that shouldn't be because there's really nothing to it but the pure grind.

Beat-em-up, side-scrolling brawlers like this worked great when there was a fear of losing all the tokens you'd work so hard to buy with your allowance, but once that imminent threat is removed there's nothing but mindless button mashing and endless continues in your future.

Beat-em-up, side-scrolling brawlers like this worked great when there was a fear of losing all the tokens you'd work so hard to buy with your allowance, but once that imminent threat is removed there's nothing but mindless button mashing and endless continues in your future.

Its approachable, eye-catching flair matches most of the hype and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, though veterans may feel slighted by the simplified control scheme.

Its approachable, eye-catching flair matches most of the hype and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, though veterans may feel slighted by the simplified control scheme.

Some of the new features just slow the pacing down and for a fast game like Bionic Commando, that's just fatal, while others are just serious issues that should have been ironed out before release.

Some of the new features just slow the pacing down and for a fast game like Bionic Commando, that's just fatal, while others are just serious issues that should have been ironed out before release.

If you're into Tactics, this game is definitely one of the best. It takes more than a fair amount of commitment on the player's part to get absorbed into the intricate, many-layered story and environment, but if you do, you won't be disappointed.

The questions are as bizarre as ever, and it reminds me of the good ol' days of trying to wrap my head around questions that all make some sort of twisted sense.

The questions are as bizarre as ever, and it reminds me of the good ol' days of trying to wrap my head around questions that all make some sort of twisted sense.

The cutscenes are just as fun to watch as the game is to play.

The cutscenes are just as fun to watch as the game is to play.

This kind of game - essentially a visual mystery novel - isn't as strong as an adventure title like 999, and might not win over too many players looking for a brand new experience, but if you can look past some small flaws in characters and some issues along the lines of a cheesy M. Night Shyamalan story (which would confuse even him), it's a fun, little distraction for a while. Just don't expect the next Sherlock Holmes and you'll probably be fine.

Breach shows strong respect for armed combat. The weight, realism, and dry approach to the online shooter genre proves Atomic Games as a developer who takes their first-person shooters seriously. By dealing with its content maturely, Breach proves that sometimes games don't die; they just change shape.

Breach shows strong respect for armed combat. The weight, realism, and dry approach to the online shooter genre proves Atomic Games as a developer who takes their first-person shooters seriously. By dealing with its content maturely, Breach proves that sometimes games don't die; they just change shape.

The addition of multiplayer is, as one might expect, utterly forgettable. It's a less strategic and more claustrophobic version of Left 4 Dead's survivors vs. infected gameplay with too much emphasis on close-quarters melee and shooting.

The addition of multiplayer is, as one might expect, utterly forgettable. It's a less strategic and more claustrophobic version of Left 4 Dead's survivors vs. infected gameplay with too much emphasis on close-quarters melee and shooting.

Like Frankenstein's monster, Dead Space 2 is an assemblage of preexisting parts brought to exciting new life. And like seeing the living dead, it's impressive for a little while… then they start clawing for your brain.

Mass Effect 2 for PS3 is for people who shun the Xbox 360 and don't care for complete authenticity and continuity, and for Mass Effect fans who want all of the major DLC packs in a shinier package and a simplified, shorthanded way to create Mass Effect 1 builds.

With all the challenges and brilliantly designed tables, it's hard not to push just about anyone into playing Marvel Pinball.

With all the challenges and brilliantly designed tables, it's hard not to push just about anyone into playing Marvel Pinball.

Unless you're emotionally invested in the series and the characters, this particular spin-off isn't anything to get too terribly excited about.

There are so many great visuals, interesting gameplay moments, and little strokes of genius. It epitomizes how small games can be big experiences.

There are so many great visuals, interesting gameplay moments, and little strokes of genius. It epitomizes how small games can be big experiences.

Ultimately, Splatterhouse is a fun game when taken in tiny chunks.

Even on its lowest difficulty setting, Prinny 2 can be a beast.

LBP2 is just about the toughest game I've ever had to score. You'll only get as much out of it as you're willing to put in.

If you're looking for a great puzzler, Ilomilo is an awesome choice. This is probably the more mind-intensive out of the trio of Holiday promotion releases.

I really liked the look and humor in Raskulls. I really did. Sadly, there's not a whole lot more to be had here. The single-player portion of the game is super short and I found very little to come back to after I completed the story, bonus levels or not.

It's About Time sure lives up to its name. It's about freaking time we got to see a decent attempt at a game based on Back to the Future.

It's about freaking time we got to see a decent attempt at a game based on Back to the Future.

Considering its faults and weighing them against the pros, A World of Keflings is still an addictive game with a lot of personality and creativity.

Dynasty Warriors Online is a competent, if a little droll, recreation of the longstanding franchise with just as much polish as you would expect from a regular installment. Considering it's free-to-play, that's commendable.