The simple, albeit underdeveloped, combination of gameplay styles is brisk enough to carry the inspiration behind its characters, setting, and story.

The simple, albeit underdeveloped, combination of gameplay styles is brisk enough to carry the inspiration behind its characters, setting, and story.

Helix accomplishes a lot in appealing to Western gamers while still sticking to the themes Front Mission has established through its 15-year history.

Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes is a blatant copycat of the Warriors franchise, and it doesn't care. Of course, when it does the formula better, it doesn't have to care.

Kirby's Epic Yarn delivers fun, solid platforming with incredible style. The presentation and lack of difficulty may be a turn-off, but any platforming fan would do well to get wrapped up in this ball of yarn.

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.

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.

There's simply too much to love in Comic Jumper, from its well-done and thoughtful presentation and gameplay to the over-the-top hilarity of the writing.

Lords of Shadow is one of the best games I've played all year, but its technical faults hamper the experience.

Lords of Shadow is one of the best games I've played all year, but its technical faults hamper the experience.

Hydrophobia is just a Titanic of a shipwreck.

If you like Harvest Moon, but like making stuff instead of farming it, this is your cup of tea.

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!

If you've stuck it out this long, then you're going to want to join the revolution, as it's definitely a good way to say goodbye to Pandora and the Borderlands-verse... at least for now.

If you've stuck it out this long, then you're going to want to join the revolution, as it's definitely a good way to say goodbye to Pandora and the Borderlands-verse... at least for now.

If you've stuck it out this long, then you're going to want to join the revolution, as it's definitely a good way to say goodbye to Pandora and the Borderlands-verse... at least for now.

Helix accomplishes a lot in appealing to Western gamers while still sticking to the themes Front Mission has established through its 15-year history.

Helix accomplishes a lot in appealing to Western gamers while still sticking to the themes Front Mission has established through its 15-year history.

If you are trying to ween a GF (or BF, never let it be said GR isn't progressive) on to modern consoles, this could be a great stepping stone, as the gameplay and graphics are just as simple as they were back in the day. But if you're a hardcore, experienced gamer, you may want to skip Blade Kitten in favor of playing with other pussycats.

If you are trying to ween a GF (or BF, never let it be said GR isn't progressive) on to modern consoles, this could be a great stepping stone, as the gameplay and graphics are just as simple as they were back in the day. But if you're a hardcore, experienced gamer, you may want to skip Blade Kitten in favor of playing with other pussycats.

It's a travesty to release an already mediocre game before ironing out all the kinks in its broken interface and having enough content to keep it interesting. It honestly feels like the PC version is just the beta test for next year's PS3 version.

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.

Liars and Cheats isn't the perfect downloadable content pack for Red Dead Redemption, but it's a darn good one for the most part. Some of the additions might turn some players away, but playing cards or throwing dice online more than makes up for these faults.

Liars and Cheats isn't the perfect downloadable content pack for Red Dead Redemption, but it's a darn good one for the most part. Some of the additions might turn some players away, but playing cards or throwing dice online more than makes up for these faults.

If you are trying to ween a GF (or BF, never let it be said GR isn't progressive) on to modern consoles, this could be a great stepping stone, as the gameplay and graphics are just as simple as they were back in the day. But if you're a hardcore, experienced gamer, you may want to skip Blade Kitten in favor of playing with other pussycats.

With tons of weapons/armor/shields/artifacts to collect, a random dungeon creator after you make it through all of the campaign missions (each of which are replayable and earn you Fame, which unlocks more options and features), and a retro style to throw you back to a time when you first discovered video game dungeons, ClaDun is one of the most enjoyable games I've played in a long while.

IG's immediate, pressing visual and audio effects can be a shock to the player's system. Immediate reactions will register on the "what the hell" scale, but with a little time, gamers will have a fluid, evolving experience that's got them on the tips of their thumbs.

While no game will ever be perfect, Halo: Reach is as close as Bungie is going to get with the series, and I think they knew that going in. So they did their damndest to make sure it lived up to its namesake, probably even more so than Halo 3 did.

The game's biggest flaw is its story, which is ironic due to the fact that the Lord of the Rings trilogy is all about its story.

Immediate reactions will register on the "what the hell" scale, but with a little time, gamers will have a fluid, evolving experience that's got them on the tips of their thumbs.

There is so much to do in Plants vs. Zombies that it's impossible to become bored with the game.

An extraordinary hockey game. The action is hot and fast, and the intangibles and extras add quality on top of quality.

An extraordinary hockey game. The action is hot and fast, and the intangibles and extras add quality on top of quality.

R.U.S.E. has a fresh perspective that few RTS games have tried, and even fewer have succeeded with.

The set pieces are gorgeously done and the pacing is perfect, even if it breezes by rather quickly.

The set pieces are gorgeously done and the pacing is perfect, even if it breezes by rather quickly.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is easily the best Spidey game since the Spider-Man 2 game from '04.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is easily the best Spidey game since the Spider-Man 2 game from '04.

The only notable downside to Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is the constant loading times.

Other than a lack of choice with the controls and a little heavy-handedness in the presentation and direction, Metroid: Other M superbly creates a familiar-feeling Metroid experience that really isn't that familiar at all. And don't worry, your thumb will forgive you someday.

It's one hell of a trip from beginning to end and, by the end of its four-hour journey, will only make it tougher for you to wait two years for BioShock Infinite.

It's one hell of a trip from beginning to end and, by the end of its four-hour journey, will only make it tougher for you to wait two years for BioShock Infinite.

Case Zero is an effective tie-in that enticed me to pay attention to a game I had little to no anticipation for, and introduced elements I want to explore further once Dead Rising 2 lands.

The City That Dares Not Sleep even makes fun of the ridiculous difficulty of old-school adventure games at one point. Sure, some of the newer crop of the genre have been labeled as a little too easy, but Telltale's efforts is perfectly suitable for veterans and newcomers alike.

The City That Dares Not Sleep even makes fun of the ridiculous difficulty of old-school adventure games at one point. Sure, some of the newer crop of the genre have been labeled as a little too easy, but Telltale's efforts is perfectly suitable for veterans and newcomers alike.

Despite several artificial restraints, Guilty Party is proof that you can turn a board game, a detective story, and mini-games - if just by combining them all together - into a title that doesn't incite collective yawns.

But if you've never played Worms before, or absolutely need a PC version, now's as good a time as any to jump into the slimy, slithery, British-y chaos. 15 years in, and this war's just getting started.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game makes for one of the better movie-based games out there. It carries its homage to old beat 'em up games a little too far, forgoing online play and a consistent checkpoint system, especially for a game that's not meant to be played by yourself.

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.

Flaws and linear nature taken into account, Mafia II is a beautiful, gripping, engaging game-and where it doesn't allow you to go is more than made up for by where it does.

Flaws and linear nature taken into account, Mafia II is a beautiful, gripping, engaging game-and where it doesn't allow you to go is more than made up for by where it does.

Vine creation is a neat twist.

Flaws and linear nature taken into account, Mafia II is a beautiful, gripping, engaging game-and where it doesn't allow you to go is more than made up for by where it does.

The game is undeniably interesting and pretty fun for a while. More importantly, it's innovative, which earns it a spot in this exciting summer of indie games.

It might not be a Diablo-killer - it's not nearly deep enough on any front or with the scope of Hell to fight through - but what's here is entertaining and worth a play-through.

Top Gun is amusing for a little while, and hearing "Danger Zone" again (even if it is a cover... c'mon, why not the original?) is all well and good, but when it's so monotonous and has so little character in the "plot", it won't stay in play for too long.

It is not a game that you play to enjoy the single-player story--or even, for that matter, the offline mode. If you can reconcile yourself with that, though, the multiplayer "Fragile Alliance" mode is incredible fun and incorporates a dynamic that I wish others developers would try to imitate.

It is not a game that you play to enjoy the single-player story--or even, for that matter, the offline mode. If you can reconcile yourself with that, though, the multiplayer "Fragile Alliance" mode is incredible fun and incorporates a dynamic that I wish others developers would try to imitate.

It is not a game that you play to enjoy the single-player story--or even, for that matter, the offline mode. If you can reconcile yourself with that, though, the multiplayer "Fragile Alliance" mode is incredible fun and incorporates a dynamic that I wish others developers would try to imitate.

For a title entrenched in the amorphous mutation of JRPGs into turn-based but real-time, single-player but MMORPG confusion, Ys Seven treads the line between classic and cliché with refreshing ease. Despite its occasional potboiler plot twists, it is a reminder that well-executed simplicity is all you need for an addictive title.

So much unadulterated fun.

Madden 11 is beautiful to look at. The realistic physics add much to the gameplay, and destroying some 12-year old in Iowa by 50 points never get sold. But the trend of making Madden "simpler" is troubling.

Madden 11 is beautiful to look at. The realistic physics add much to the gameplay, and destroying some 12-year old in Iowa by 50 points never get sold. But the trend of making Madden "simpler" is troubling.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game makes for one of the better movie-based games out there. It carries its homage to old beat 'em up games a little too far, forgoing online play and a consistent checkpoint system, especially for a game that's not meant to be played by yourself.

Legends and Killers is not an addition you absolutely must have.

Legends and Killers is not an addition you absolutely must have.

Let's be straight here: Harmony of Despair is a frustrating game. What should have been a step forward into new territory seems to have landed in some sticky bat guano.

Stop pilfering from the classics, Japan, because that's not how you top them. Start doing something different, and leave those classics in the paradise of childhood memories where they belong.

Starcraft may be good, but there's a big, nagging complaint I have: Starcraft 2 is Starcraft 1 with prettier graphics but fewer features.

I could go on to tell you about the terrible graphics, the ho-hum animations, the appalling voice-acting, and Perseus's stupid shoulder shrugs whenever he speaks. But really, this game has taken up enough of my time and yours.

I could go on to tell you about the terrible graphics, the ho-hum animations, the appalling voice-acting, and Perseus's stupid shoulder shrugs whenever he speaks. But really, this game has taken up enough of my time and yours.

Limbo represents a confident step for indie games firmly into the realm of Art, just in case there were any doubters remaining out there.

Even though this episode is a bit weaker than the previous three, it does pick up by the end, tying most of the knots, all the while leaving a few threads open for the last episode of the season, The City That Dares Not Sleep.

Even though this episode is a bit weaker than the previous three, it does pick up by the end, tying most of the knots, all the while leaving a few threads open for the last episode of the season, The City That Dares Not Sleep.

DeathSpank isn't some weenie little diversion; it's a full-blown, long RPG with a huge overland map. Which at 1200 MS Points (or $15) is more bang for your buck than just about any other title out there.

It is as streamlined and pretty as its older brother, plays just as well, and still gives you that unique college ball experience. NCAA Football 11 will not be riding the bench this year.

It is as streamlined and pretty as its older brother, plays just as well, and still gives you that unique college ball experience. NCAA Football 11 will not be riding the bench this year.

There are literally no redeeming qualities to the game. Maybe if it wasn't as broken as it is in so many areas, I could contentedly give it a 'D'; it would merely be a poor knock-off in that case, not atrocious as it stands.

A solid little package that offers a charming, totally-satisfying, side-quest-packed Slime-load of gaming value.

It's just as funny and entertaining as its older self, if not more, with new music, awesome voice-acting, and great bonus features.

It's just as funny and entertaining as its older self, if not more, with new music, awesome voice-acting, and great bonus features.

Even though Crackdown 2 feels more like Crackdown 1.5 than a true sequel, there is enough here and enough that has been improved that you will enjoy it just as much as the original, if not even more.

The story is wonderful and has plenty of twists and turns to keep things interesting and isn't so happy-go-lucky like you might expect.

Let's hope that Raven Software can put some creativity together and bring forth more of an expansive multiplayer for a possible sequel or download; I would hate to see such potential be forgotten and aged to dust.

Let's hope that Raven Software can put some creativity together and bring forth more of an expansive multiplayer for a possible sequel or download; I would hate to see such potential be forgotten and aged to dust.

Let's hope that Raven Software can put some creativity together and bring forth more of an expansive multiplayer for a possible sequel or download; I would hate to see such potential be forgotten and aged to dust.

Every 2D-shooter fan needs to have this game in their collection. Shmup releases of this caliber are extremely rare outside of Japan.

Even though going to a school like Hogwarts is out of the question realistically, I can at the very least wrap myself up with LEGO Harry Potter and imagine my school to be one hell of a kick-ass playground. But I'll imagine playing in it without the A.I. and targeting system, thank you very much.

Even though going to a school like Hogwarts is out of the question realistically, I can at the very least wrap myself up with LEGO Harry Potter and imagine my school to be one hell of a kick-ass playground. But I'll imagine playing in it without the A.I. and targeting system, thank you very much.

It was a chore to finish the slim four-hour campaign, and if I weren't reviewing it, I would have tossed the disc-along with more than a few controllers-through my window in frustration within the first hour.

All in all, this game has many glaring flaws, but it does a great job at when comes to the main task of "maim and destroy".

As a demonstration of how control mechanics can be designed for the Wii, Sin & Punishment 2 is pure brilliance. And in those moments where everything comes together, there's really nothing quite like it. In brief bursts, you'll swear it's the best shooter ever made, but taken as a whole, it's simply too much of a hybrid for its own good.

I really wanted to like Naughty Bear, but there are too many faults that either disrupt the gameplay or are just too unbearable to ignore. The experience, unfortunately, bears no fruit.

Duke gets stale as a character quickly.

As long as the online community holds up, this downloadable title will certainly be worth picking up for anyone looking for a little conquest and domination on the side.

The characters are as amusing as ever, the story is easy to follow and broken up enough to keep it interesting, and there's always a fight to be had (complete with Goku getting hit, which I think could be considered child abuse in some areas). It's just a shame that the actual fighting is just as boring as it's ever been.

Yes, fanboys, it's okay to pick this one up. Transformers, Roll Out!

Yes, fanboys, it's okay to pick this one up. Transformers, Roll Out!