A giant leap in the right direction for the series and for off-road racers.

Even though its brand of battlefield warfare is by no means new, it’s still plenty of fun and a must for Star Wars nerds. Just don’t be fooled by any claims that Battlefront contains a viable single-player experience. This is an online game, period, and if you can’t get online, then this isn’t the game you are looking for. Move along.

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.

A must for Marvel fans, a good buy for everyone else, Ultimate Alliance is an epic in an old package, kind of like those massy boxes of comics you have hidden away in your attic, gathering ebay value like dust.

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

It is very hard and probably will only appeal to shooter fans, but it's a solid title through and through.

A remarkable music game, one that captures the two-handed feel of playing a guitar, pairs it with some fascinating and challenging original music, and, at one shimmering moment at least, successfully fuses music with plot.

The Adventure mode, while not what it is billed to be, does give a good challenge to both beginners and skilled players alike. If you're a fan of chess and need a new game or have a child you wish to teach, Majestic Chess may just fit the bill.

Vets, however, might find it hard to overlook the lacking A.I., inability to jump and brief Story. The future looks good, but far from perfect.

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 operative words here are "Heavy Metal". Not all that black metal with all that panda make-up, or that judd-judd hardcore or that god-awful crap with turntables either - this is the good stuff.

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.

Achieves what regular Star Wars, in recent history, has been unable to do: deliver a children's experience that is fun and engaging for adults as well.

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.

Achieves what regular Star Wars, in recent history, has been unable to do: deliver a children’s experience that is fun and engaging for adults as well.

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.

Despite some minor annoyances, this game is big fun. Something you can drop in for a few minutes for a quick race, or spend hours upgrading your vehicles.

ESPN MLB isn't a bad game at all, but is functionally a step backwards from last year's game and just can't quite keep up with "MVP."

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.

NeoGeo Battle Coliseum looks old and sounds old and plays in 2D - all things that will deter most modern-day gamers, but old-school fans of NeoGeo fighters and newbies interested in discovering where 3D fighters originated will not be disappointed.

Does a pretty good job capturing the tuner scene with fast races and flashy cars. However, some lingering A.I. issues and the excessive time it takes just to get where you need to go keeps this ride from shifting to fifth.

Long enough for some serious sessions of sordid slaughter, and if you don't take plot too seriously and don't mind some repetition with your ultra-violence, then it's worth your money.

While eviscerating so many ninjas is cathartic, Afro Samurai ends up feeling more like a slick, hyper-visual arcade experience more than a solid home console experience. But still fun nonetheless.

Play with traction control, ABS, weather conditions, damage and more in the handy options screen. You'll even be able to turn on the FIA rules or try your hand at interactive pit stops. I love choices.

The hyper-realism is impressive at first, but Championship Edition lacks the flash and fanfare of most racing games. The mild weather conditions and tiring voiceover do little to shake up the core game.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 needs to learn from other golf titles like Pangya to build a better pro store and long-term reward system, and Hot Shots Golf to create a slope indicator and a precise 3-click system. But the essentials are more than covered.

American developer Double Helix has managed to stick its landing—right in the uneasy, dark parts of the mind that define the Silent Hill experience.

For a “deep”, story-driven FPS - on a handheld console, no less - Moon stands out.

With over 120 total puzzles, Bruiser and Scratch gives you scads of hours of engaging, perplexing play.

Few titles succeed without having your brain go into overdrive or your character constantly be on the verge of death, and this is gladly one of them.

The gameplay is just as good as you remember it to be and the engine still hauls a great deal of ass, but considering it's had two years to stew, this tour feels a little too much like the last one.

I realize that everything nice I’ve said has been rebutted with a glaring flaw, but this is a really great game. If you missed it on the PS1 and you like classic RPGs, then you really owe it to yourself to play this, though you may want to turn the sound off to avoid the bad voice-acting.

A much better product than the original DDR USA and the Disney Rave, both in breadth of songs and range of features.

Very deep for an Xtreme game. The level sizes, moves list, and challenges are extremely expansive.

Playing Guitar Hero III is like picking up a brand-new, fashionable (wireless!) guitar. It may have a light but solid body, a sexy and sophisticated shape, more durable strings, more easily adjustable tuners, and hell, it may just sound better, but it doesn’t have the spit and polish - that look of a mature instrument which reminds you of all the years you’ve spent with it, of all the sweat and beer stains.

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.

Oozing bizarre style out of every pore, this is proof that creative design doesn’t require fancy DVD players or burly graphics cards.

I would have liked a bit more story to the game, and a bit less of killing things, and quite a lot less jumping, thank you.

It's easy to see why Shadow Complex is such a good game - it follows the mold of some of the best and most enjoyable games ever, retaining that feel even though it's built with today's tech behind it.

It provides an interesting locale, great story, and some fun new perks and equipment. It's also a bit lengthier than the first few DLCs, with a fairly larger map to explore, rewarding you each time you replay, checking every nook and cranny.

The game itself is good, far better than the online "Everquest" games for the PS2 and even holding up well next to fancier PC MMORPGs. It’s genuinely fun and runs well.

While not without its flaws, Max Payne is a solid addition to any PS2 library, provided you didn't play the PC version, you don't have an Xbox and you aren't just itching to see Max on your big screen TV.

An uneven mixture of gorgeous graphics, upgradeable street racing vehicles, variety of race modes, unique customization, lack of opposition, repetitive tracks, and no law enforcement presence... Involving and fun, although not quite as engrossing as "NFS:HP2."

While it's not up to the standards that Square-Enix have set in the past for the genre, Paon and Nintendo have a solid RPG on their hands.

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.

Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon isn't some fancy-ass, top-of-the-line flea bomb, but an inexpensive can of Raid that gets the job done.

Given a little patience, however, X-Men Legends will reward you with a good storyline and fun gameplay.

Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon isn't some fancy-ass, top-of-the-line flea bomb, but an inexpensive can of Raid that gets the job done.

The story isn’t compelling, the PvE gameplay isn’t deep and it definitely won't feed you grapes, but this double-edged sword mostly cuts the right way.

It's a much slower-paced affair than most other recent RTS games like "WarCraft 3" and "Impossible Creatures," but the slower movement makes for a more strategic game.

The worst of the three console versions available, due mainly to the absence of the terrific multiplayer found in the PS2 and Xbox builds. Still, there's enough single-player goodness here to entertain for a bit – just don't expect to be blown away.

An amusing and worthwhile diversion.

The sound effects are unbelievable in both versions, conveying a sense of impact completely unique to Round 3. Staggering punches don't just look painful, they sound painful.

Since the Total War series repeats itself as much as human history does, it’s not surprising to find that Empire: Total War doesn't substantively differ from prior iterations.

It’s sketched, voiced and painted for innocent little cherubs, and yet seemingly designed by little cackling, puppy-kidnapping demons.

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.

Naruto probably isn’t going to satisfy hardcore gamers, but we gamers are getting older, accumulating not just wives but children. And for those little nerds-in-training, Naruto is a pretty and pleasant introduction to the physical violence they will spend the rest of their lives avoiding.

It's got everything you're looking for in an arcade shooter and more. Just don't expect it to last forever.

The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar isn’t the best MMORPG I’ve ever played, but I’ve played <I>that</I> one to death. With strong classes, tons of content, and some imaginative little features, this game is worth a trip to Mount Doom. Or at least the toy store.

Despite some minor annoyances, Kung Fu Panda turns in a well-rounded performance with enough appeal for small and big kids alike. Diverse gameplay mechanics keep the action from dragging its tail, and bonus rewards and multiplayer wackiness lend some replay value to the adventure.

Legends of Wrestlemania does what exactly what you think it should. Despite some repetition and being short on gameplay content and depth, it’s a casual, enjoyable romp through the good ol’ days that put our childhood heroes (and villians) on a pedestal. Then is shines a spotlight, blasts fireworks, and points at them with a giant arrow.

It's easy to pick up, simple to get a hold of, and while it's not terribly challenging, it's fun. That's perfect for the DS, if that's what you expect from the handheld.

It hits hard thanks to a robust single-player package, decent online content, and a smart pitching scheme, while a dated batting system, bad fielding model and relatively high price tag ($40 versus $20 for MLB 2K5 and $30 for MVP 2005) prevent it from entering a league of its own.

There&#146;s plenty in FIFA 2004 to keep you happy until next season, when hopefully we&#146;ll finally able to execute some plays of greater skill and complexity.

There's not much to complain about, but also little to laud.

The sheer joy of destruction, variety of mechs and plethora of game types result in a fun if slower-paced online action game. This giant robot might not save the world, but it's still a pretty good pal.

Pangya: Fantasy Golf is like a sunny, breezy afternoon, a perfect day for golf, just without the applause of a crowd.

A solid 3D action game for your more-talented-than-average gamer. While the story is a bit irrelevant, the impressive graphics and good single and multiplayer support should help get your money's worth.

a satisfying horror game with many of the sinister elements that made the original so good. But its failure to do anything new that "Resident Evil" hasn't already done (other than a cool flashlight) leaves this zombie hungering for something more. Brains, anyone?

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 needs to learn from other golf titles like Pangya to build a better pro store and long-term reward system, and Hot Shots Golf to create a slope indicator and a precise 3-click system. But the essentials are more than covered.

Without the revamped control, some of you might even forget which version of GP you're playing. MotoGP 3 is all about refinement, which is swell, but how about something a little spicier next time?

I almost hate to say it but it's the perfect girlfriend game. You can worry about cross training later but she's got to learn how to shoot at some point. And you're going to need buttons sewn on stuff. You'll want her by your side when the end comes.

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.

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.

Shift has successfully risen from the midden heap of its forebears, offering vehicular free love to any and all comers. The only problem is that it’s the kind of “love” that’s best enjoyed without others.

The enhanced character models, lightning-fast loading times, authentic WWE presentation, reconfigured match types, better CAW stat-building, the new Story Designer, and the online upload/download server mean that most fans of the franchise will clothesline anyone who gets in their way to the register. But just as many fans will be disappointed by the CAW point system, CAW restrictions in Story Designer and as downloadable characters, gender restrictions, the ho-hum Career mode, and the polished but still linear Road to Wrestlemania.

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

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.

I used to be a certifiable comic book nerd, so seeing Daredevil, the Human Torch, Carnage and many other Marvel greats is a real treat.

In fact, with the exception of menu interfaces and loading times in towns, this is actually better than the PC version, if just for the fact that it didn’t crash once during my combined 50 hours of playtime.

It's just refreshing to play to a game like this again, but how much you get out of it depends on how much you like this genre.

Maybe I just need something more extreme to get excited about, but as it stands, it's a solid title that is worth picking up... if you don't have it already in some form. Unfortunately, it just reminds me that the word “extreme” has, sadly, lost any and all meaning to me.

Paradise Lost doesn’t have any gameplay systems to keep players engaged and loses some of its potential because of it, but it does use its space well for its storytelling. It creates an otherworldly setting designed to simultaneously wow and disgust players as they make their way through gorgeous, yet heinous structures designed for evil. The stories within these structures are elegantly told for the most part as they reflect and strengthen each other along the way. Shooting Nazis in the face is almost always a blast, but Paradise Lost doesn’t resort to violence to make its point. Instead, it explores these horrors and wraps that inhumanity around the tragedy of a grief-stricken orphan, a rarity in the medium that demonstrates that how gaming can portray such evil needing to shoot at it first.

They nailed Tony Montana’s voice and attitude and packed a banana boat’s worth of blood and violence into hours and hours of open, GTA-style gameplay.

Extortions, scandals and corruption? For gameplay like this, I’m willing to dump the story and other problems in a trunk and fuhgeddaboutit.

Most of its success relies on the existing design of the pinball machines instead of any design elements it adds, but it doesn’t really need to do more than let the machines speak for themselves.

It's fun to learn the patterns and hone in on that perfect game, though the limited gameplay and the shortness of the actual experience make it well suited for a rental.

Like a goldfish in a bigger bowl, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance makes much of its newfound space without actually evolving into a new beast, and that's mostly a good thing. What it lacks in innovation it makes up for in sheer challenge.

Online play could have done wonders for some of the repetition. But if you stick it out, you may be too drunk off the inebriating style and intense action to notice your 20th play-through. Metal Arms: Glitch in the System does what it does very well.

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.

Another solid expansion which relies on adding depth and fun rather than tons of goodies.

A much better gambling system, improved breeding and hours and hours of racing keeps this one at the head of the pack.

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.

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.

A riveting if flawed run through Skull Island, one that immerses you smack in the middle of a horrific world teeming with life and, of course, love.

Whether you call it an arcade racer or a city driving simulation, I call it good fun.

They made it a bit too hard to actually go to school and do all the work, but the additions of influence, new items, and new career paths are welcome.

Though it may not be a technical powerhouse or gain any marks for innovation, it's a decent, party-friendly adventure that lasts a good 12 hours for one playthrough and it will likely be patched within the first week.