DeathSpank would never even disappoint a filthy orphan, so he's sure as hell not going to disappoint a paying customer.

There are better alternatives out there for customized music experiences. Rhythm Zone just misses the tune so bad. Even the name is misleading; there's hardly any rhythm to be found.

The story is full of incredible stupid clichés, the dialogue dubbing is just horrifying, and there's not much that made me feel quite so embarrassed as my boss and a coworker walking in on my playing Naruto, in the middle of one of the titular character's strange and tangential rants.

The story is full of incredible stupid clichés, the dialogue dubbing is just horrifying, and there's not much that made me feel quite so embarrassed as my boss and a coworker walking in on my playing Naruto, in the middle of one of the titular character's strange and tangential rants.

Where's the co-op mode from XBLA version?!

Completely skippable.

But if I were a fan, I'd enjoy it a bit more because it does feel like an authentic, quality (relatively speaking) Dragon Ball experience.

But if I were a fan, I'd enjoy it a bit more because it does feel like an authentic, quality (relatively speaking) Dragon Ball experience.

But beyond the novelty factor and that one Clapton song, there's not much to Power Gig: Rise of the Six String.

But beyond the novelty factor and that one Clapton song, there's not much to Power Gig: Rise of the Six String.

All in all, PokéPark is a solid title that holds up for a range of gamers. With its well-rounded story, variety of things to do, and hidden features, many gamers will find PokéPark to be a good place to spend some time.

A great game and a must-have for anyone who is a fan of old-school, classic games.

The Kinect might be going through something similar to what the Wii went through early on, but hopefully it gets through the growing pains... this one's gotta hurt.

Kinect body "controls" work surprisingly well.

While it may just seem like glorified Karaoke, there is more going on here than meets the eye and a sequel could be even more fun if they polish up the interface.

Playing through the campaign cooperatively and online multiplayer also aren't as fleshed out as they could have been. Apache Air Assault is an overall enjoyable flight simulator, but its lasting appeal is as short as your joystick.

Playing through the campaign cooperatively and online multiplayer also aren't as fleshed out as they could have been. Apache Air Assault is an overall enjoyable flight simulator, but its lasting appeal is as short as your joystick.

At $20, you have to be a desperate PS3 owner or an extremely dedicated racing enthusiast to download Superstars V8 Racing.

If you decide to by Time Crisis: Razing Storm, you will do so for the sole benefit of owning Time Crisis 4 and Deadstorm Pirates, two excellent arcade titles structured around the concept of "fun for the sake of fun".

On the whole, Civilization V is superb.

No tension anywhere.

No tension anywhere.

The games suck. Not in a grand 'broken beyond redemption' sense, but in a more mediocre, 'nothing to see here, people' kind of way. Go spend your money on a good game. You'll be happier for it.

The throwback to Amplitude is a welcome reminder of Harmonix's more electronically themed music games, but the experience is too limited. Still, it's a fine game on the go. At least you can take your band on the road and not have to ride around in a sweaty, junkyard bound VW bus.

Even though the EyePet offers a lovable virtual pet, it just doesn't cut it in the real world.

The fact that Cataclysm has changed virtually every aspect of Azeroth forever is just mind-blowing for an expansion pack.

The overall gameplay is on track, at least with a forsaken kingdom filled with a balanced mix of puzzling, platforming, sneaking, and fighting. But stretching the aesthetic elements, the toddler-hand-holding relationship that will grow between you and the Majin, or those damn talking animals will wear extremely thin.

The overall gameplay is on track, at least with a forsaken kingdom filled with a balanced mix of puzzling, platforming, sneaking, and fighting. But stretching the aesthetic elements, the toddler-hand-holding relationship that will grow between you and the Majin, or those damn talking animals will wear extremely thin.

After playing Kung-Fu LIVE, you'll hope Finnish developers Virtual Air Guitar get a lot of notice for their game, but you won't want them to step out of this inventive, fun little indie nitch they've found.

Despite its flaws, The Oath in Felghana is the perfect game for the PSP. Enjoyable combat and dungeon crawling is its own reward.

Surely, if it weren't for the awful, unnecessarily nihilistic item management, I could easily recommend The UnderGarden to just about anyone.

Surely, if it weren't for the awful, unnecessarily nihilistic item management, I could easily recommend The UnderGarden to just about anyone.

Despite some reluctance to simple management gameplay, Mini-Land Mayhem outperformed my expectations. Play it on the go, at home, or on the toilet seat. Just don't clog the drain.

FlingSmash isn't handball on rails. It's an accessory pimp. And not a very good one at that.

Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage reminds us what a great beat-'em-up at its core is all about, as long as you're playing by yourself and hopefully in spurts.

Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage reminds us what a great beat-'em-up at its core is all about, as long as you're playing by yourself and hopefully in spurts.

It's a shame, because despite all of the rampant bad old-schooliness (I'm coining that phrase right here, right now), 4 Heroes of Light has some good qualities and I actually started enjoying it right about the midway point when you get your whole party together and the crown system kicks in full swing. The problem is that you have to slog through the first half to get there, and even then all the annoyances and frustrations are still lurking – they're just a little easier to ignore.

Controls, rather, your body is wonky.

It can end up being too much work for what amounts to not enough enjoyment.

Plenty of side quests.

Plenty of side quests.

Plenty of side quests.

Still, Faery is commendable for being among the first foray of the core RPG genre in the downloadable space dominated by twin-stick shooters and bite-sized platformers.

Still, Faery is commendable for being among the first foray of the core RPG genre in the downloadable space dominated by twin-stick shooters and bite-sized platformers.

Still, Faery is commendable for being among the first foray of the core RPG genre in the downloadable space dominated by twin-stick shooters and bite-sized platformers.

The fact of the matter is Fable III feels like Fable 2.5 rather than a full-on sequel.

If you want to be your favorite fighter and have a fight night at home with some buddies, you're probably better off looking to UFC. If you want a game that controls better, presents the sport in a more favorable light, and really handles the intricacies and spirit of MMA, EA Sports has you covered.

If you want to be your favorite fighter and have a fight night at home with some buddies, you're probably better off looking to UFC. If you want a game that controls better, presents the sport in a more favorable light, and really handles the intricacies and spirit of MMA, EA Sports has you covered.

Dance Dance Revolution for PS3 has been seemingly blindsighted by Dance Central, but even as a game in its venerated franchise, it doesn't live up to its own innovations.

Black Ops' minor flaws won't deter you from its gripping storyline and gratifying multiplayer modes.

Black Ops' minor flaws won't deter you from its gripping storyline and gratifying multiplayer modes.

On the whole, though, Assault on Balaurea represents a considerable step forward for Aion; it's a competitive MMO now, and one worth a trial.

But if you don't expect this sequel to do anything other than continue the same story and gameplay that turned a few heads years ago, Dark Dawn is one of the better RPGs to hit the DS this late in 2010.

Gameplay is amazingly true to DKC.

This is not your older brother's GoldenEye. It's been updated, re-skinned, had some control adjustments, and instead of reclaiming the crown of top four-player shooter, it's just another face in the crowd.

Rather than letting this franchise rest, developers and publishers want to tread on the grave of a game we'd mostly like to rest in peace.

When the online modes work, they really sing, allowing for hours to slip away into tons of entertaining crashes and near-misses. Unfortunately, they can also be extremely broken.

When the online modes work, they really sing, allowing for hours to slip away into tons of entertaining crashes and near-misses. Unfortunately, they can also be extremely broken.

When the online modes work, they really sing, allowing for hours to slip away into tons of entertaining crashes and near-misses. Unfortunately, they can also be extremely broken.

It's still arguably an above-average 3D platformer, even considering the flawed platforming fundamentals. The style, story, core gameplay concepts and attention to Disney history go a long way toward redemption. It's just so damn disappointing because a few short months ago, it looked like it would be so... epic.

In terms of the tech under GT5's hood, the only fault is the occasional spat of screen tearing. It's not ideal, but everything else looks and sounds so beautiful that it's easily forgivable. Think of it as a beauty mark on an otherwise flawless face.

With a campaign worthy of sequel status and a multiplayer mode full of fresh, entertaining ideas, there isn't enough praise I can lay on AC: Brotherhood.

With a campaign worthy of sequel status and a multiplayer mode full of fresh, entertaining ideas, there isn't enough praise I can lay on AC: Brotherhood.

Like LostWinds, this is a game with style and soul, and it was clearly designed by folks who know how to combine good game design with innovative motion technology.

It's not that anything in Kinect Adventures is exceptionally bad. In fact, the games are great introductions to the technology, making it a decent pack in. Despite this, on its own, Kinect Adventures wouldn't be a worthwhile addition to your gaming library.

None of its flaws, though, detract Dance Central from justifying Kinect and revolutionizing the rhythm dance genre. It spearheads not just a movement in new video game technology, but also the inherent connection between dance and downright fun.

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved is a forgettable exercise game that can nevertheless get you sweating in your living room, but it has none of the depth and longevity of its competitors.

Ultimately, Kinect Sports is a rough launch title that's all about the novelty of Kinect.

Forget about what you've done during the main game's single player campaign, turn off your suspension of disbelief, and nail those suckers in the head.

Forget about what you've done during the main game's single player campaign, turn off your suspension of disbelief, and nail those suckers in the head.

Bottom line is, if you want to learn some of the finer points of how painters do what they do, or are really devoted to improving your visual art, you could likely find some help in this.

Ultimately, the EyePet is interesting as a toy, but as a piece of software on the PS3, it's lacking.

It's silly, it's outrageous, it's campy – and it's perfect at being so. And in that way, despite its futuristic sheen, Vanquish is a child of the '80s more than anything else.

It's silly, it's outrageous, it's campy – and it's perfect at being so. And in that way, despite its futuristic sheen, Vanquish is a child of the '80s more than anything else.

If you have children, they'll be delighted, but if you're over the age of twelve, the party will decidedly end the moment you put this game in the disc drive.

The only thing I'm left wondering is where Harmonix can go from here with the series having pretty much crammed everything you'd want out of the series.

The only thing I'm left wondering is where Harmonix can go from here with the series having pretty much crammed everything you'd want out of the series.

Its attention to detail is a quality not often associated with a franchise about brawny, aggressive men wearing outlandish, skin-tight costumes – manly cosplay, if you will. That THQ and Yuke's have finally decided to let players do what they want with their content by loosening their restrictions shows how much they've listened to the fans.

Its attention to detail is a quality not often associated with a franchise about brawny, aggressive men wearing outlandish, skin-tight costumes – manly cosplay, if you will. That THQ and Yuke's have finally decided to let players do what they want with their content by loosening their restrictions shows how much they've listened to the fans.

If Guitar Hero is your game, this is really a love song to you. Let's just hope it isn't the swan song.

If Guitar Hero is your game, this is really a love song to you. Let's just hope it isn't the swan song.

As an action game, as a PSP game – hell, simply just as a video game – Ghost of Sparta is entertaining and well worth a play. As a God of War game, though, it's a reluctant step backward, in its linearity, sparse bosses battles, and lack of weapon and magic options.

If Wii Party was trapped in a mine for 70 days, it would discover the richest vein of ore and find a way to get it to the surface before ever asking for a sip of water. Too soon? I'm just saying. In terms of mini-game variety, I know exactly what it feels like to hit the motherload.

Even though Super Meat Boy will make most casual players shy away from it due to its extreme, raw (pun intended) level of difficulty, there's plenty of content to dig through and it's all well worth the effort.

The one major difference between the fake Calvin Kline's and the rip-off game is that you can probably get the GoW2:GOTY edition for the same price or cheaper than the imposter.

The one major difference between the fake Calvin Kline's and the rip-off game is that you can probably get the GoW2:GOTY edition for the same price or cheaper than the imposter.

Now, somebody please make a version with all of the bad words intact! I wanna say stuff that would make Bob Saget cringe!

The movement feels fluid and natural, and there's really nothing bad about the controls.

Ultimately, there's no reason a Move-owning PS3 gamer shouldn't pick up Sports Champions. Stay away if you've only got one controller, because whether you have a Move in each hand can make or break the experience.

At least you won't have to suffer long as Kung-Fu Rider clocks in at about 4 hours or so of gameplay.

You've come a long way, made some mistakes, and now you're trying to make amends for them. It shows a great amount of maturity on your part to admit that you're flawed and can be better a perso-er-hedgehog, but you've still got a long way to go before things are back to the way they were between you and me.

You've come a long way, made some mistakes, and now you're trying to make amends for them. It shows a great amount of maturity on your part to admit that you're flawed and can be better a perso-er-hedgehog, but you've still got a long way to go before things are back to the way they were between you and me.

The pacing is one of The Writer's biggest strengths but also the means to what some might consider its greatest weakness.

With a rehashed battle system and a story very loosely tied together by tight underwear, Thongs of Virtue is not as cohesive nor as innovative as its predecessor. But it feels overbearing to criticize an unflinchingly goofy 15-hour adventure that couldn't take itself any less seriously if it tried.

While the multiplayer has its cons, it definitely has potential to be built into something more and I wouldn't be surprised if downloadable content releases soon. The single-player campaign is enough to hold anyone through a gripping story with non-stop and fast-paced action and a trio of compelling characters.

With multiple playthroughs in mind, Dead Rising 2 may provide all the gaming you need this holiday season. There's no way you'll be able to do everything in one shot. Going back to Fortune City with a better grasp of the map is only going to make things more enjoyable. Kill, Chuck, kill!

Shank's unassuming style and blatant old-school influence make it a must-have for fans of games like Gunstar Heroes, Double Dragon, and Contra. No matter what, vengeance must be yours.

The disconnect between the mystery story and the puzzle gameplay is not a damning curse for the Professor Layton series, this game included.