The shock of change is overwhelming at first, but give the game enough time to develop and you'll soon appreciate its intricacies. A few problematic design choices aside, there's a lot of fun to be had in this newest and most Final-est of Fantasies.

Its old-school design may turn some people off, but the more open-minded among you are in for one hell of a ride. Besides, any game that can make running an orphanage seem fun has got to be doing something very right.

The shock of change is overwhelming at first, but give the game enough time to develop and you'll soon appreciate its intricacies. A few problematic design choices aside, there's a lot of fun to be had in this newest and most Final-est of Fantasies.

I had tons of fun blowing up or burning down poor enemy troops, and if Toy Soldiers is any indication, the tower defense genre still has a little bit of life left in it and plenty of room for innovation.

While not nearly as atmospheric as Lost in Nightmares, Desperate Escape is a very tense but short trip that's worthy of a playthrough for Resident Evil 5 veterans and those looking for an extra challenge that does not stray from the original campaign.

As a singleplayer experience, Bad Company 2 is mostly forgettable, which is a disappointment considering how entertaining the first game’s campaign was. Thankfully the multiplayer features are so polished and well designed that BC2’s shortcomings won’t matter in the slightest.

As a singleplayer experience, Bad Company 2 is mostly forgettable, which is a disappointment considering how entertaining the first game’s campaign was. Thankfully the multiplayer features are so polished and well designed that BC2’s shortcomings won’t matter in the slightest.

As a singleplayer experience, Bad Company 2 is mostly forgettable, which is a disappointment considering how entertaining the first game’s campaign was. Thankfully the multiplayer features are so polished and well designed that BC2’s shortcomings won’t matter in the slightest.

Lunar: Silver Star Harmony is one of the best RPGs available on the PSP. The added content and reworked presentation are more than enough to warrant a playthrough or two for even the most dedicated fans.

If you can stand the combat, the rewards abound on the other side of this looking glass.

All of this is not to say that Supreme Commander 2 is an awful game. But the things that have changed simply won’t win over new fans; if you didn’t like Supreme Commander, then you won’t like Supreme Commander 2.

Even though it's limited by the PSP, it's a good time waster that doesn't take itself too seriously. But like my undead friend here, though, this game is a ghoul in a very crowded horde of the living dead. One that's starting to stink a lot.

Greed Corp is probably not a title for everyone, but the value-to-cost ratio is great.

Heavy Rain is an inspiration board of editorials waiting to be written. It is entertaining without being “fun” and explores the assumptions players make as a spectator and a participant, the extent at which literary drama can interconnect with games, and the uncharted space far beyond mainstream gaming...Even if you come to oppose everything it stands for – and understandably so – Heavy Rain needs to be played.

If you own Empire, there’s not a good reason to own Napoleon.

Last Rebellion tries your patience at every turn. The combat is repetitive, the story is obtuse, and the graphics are primitive. It’s as if Hit Maker aimed for total mediocrity on the PSP and hit an abyss of obsolescence on the PS3 instead.

Story is thin and uninteresting.

However, this content pack falls prey to the same problem as the Battle of Forli does - its content belonged in the original game in the first place.

However, this content pack falls prey to the same problem as the Battle of Forli does - its content belonged in the original game in the first place.

My stomach growls in expectation of what else The Odd Gentleman has inside its oven. Be it pies, cakes, or sweets, I'm ready for more.

The presentation is really what makes Lost in Nightmares enjoyable and lends a reason to long for a full-blown old-school Resident Evil to come back. Alas, one can only dream.

Thanks to its many improvements and additions, Bravo 3 has everything what fans have been loving about the series, and then some.

As it stands now, you'd probably have more fun being on To Catch a Predator than playing Aliens Vs. Predator.

As it stands now, you'd probably have more fun being on To Catch a Predator than playing Aliens Vs. Predator.

It has no pop, nothing that stands out. Every character, except Sierra, speaks the same way and more often than not comes across as completely clueless, even when talking about something they claim to know about.

Strikeforce is a great step toward finally integrating the online universe with Dynasty Warriors and an unexpected excuse to lower your head as other gamers pass you by. You’re not hiding or hanging your head in shame, you’re just looking for items.

Strikeforce is a great step toward finally integrating the online universe with Dynasty Warriors and an unexpected excuse to lower your head as other gamers pass you by. You’re not hiding or hanging your head in shame, you’re just looking for items.

Darwinia+ is the wine and cheese of video gaming. The palatable mix of genres might turn off some players and delight others, and the art style probably won't fly for gamers who need next-gen graphics. Despite that, Darwinia+ offers a ton of gameplay for the moderate price of 1200 Microsoft Points (or $15 in non-funny-money).

Rich, philosophical story...that's not as clever as the original story.

Rich, philosophical story...that's not as clever as the original story.

Rich, philosophical story...that's not as clever as the original story.

Another major annoyance is the save system. You can only save at designated statues, and there are only two or three per level.

Another major annoyance is the save system. You can only save at designated statues, and there are only two or three per level.

While it's not without its flaws, none of them are deal-breakers and it does enough right for you to suffer through the crappy parts.

On the whole, STO is very promising; it needs a little more clean-up and content, but the fundamentals of the gameplay are very strong, and the options available during character creation make for an experience with a lot of potential depth.

On the whole, it's a great-looking game with an impressive amount of territory to explore, and it's largely free of the suffocating pomposity that seems part and parcel of so many Japanese-influenced RPGs.

Even with a few hiccups along the way, most of them technical ones in the Wiiware version of the game, the story and characters more than make up for any of that.

The Battle of Forli shouldn't be considered an expansion pack. because it simply isn't. Its content belonged in the main game in the first place, as it contains a relatively important part of Assassin's Creed 2's story.

You won’t give much attention to the unintuitive HUD, and the low level cap won’t stop most from playing the game again with added difficulty or for multiple story options. You'll get frustrated, you'll ask yourself why, but you'll still love it. Facing the dark reality of Mass Effect 2 has its stumbles and slips, but it’s a trip worth taking, no matter the destination.

Despite all my gripes, Mass Effect 2 does more than enough to live up to its predecessor. You won’t give much attention to the unintuitive HUD, and the low level cap won’t stop most from playing the game again with added difficulty or for multiple story options. You'll get frustrated, you'll ask yourself why, but you'll still love it. Facing the dark reality of Mass Effect 2 has its stumbles and slips, but it’s a trip worth taking, no matter the destination.

Same great dialogue and voice acting.

Even though it could have done with a few more options for the lone wolf player, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars has a lot of replayability online and is quite simply the best fighting game offering on the Wii.

MAG puts communication front-and-center in the online shooter genre. Using a headset isn’t just “useful” or “convenient”. It’s absolutely necessary. Zipper’s made a ballsy move—particularly on a console where headsets are sold separately—but it’s paid off. MAG is a unique experience and is sure to gain a dedicated fan-base all its own.

Bittos+ is an engaging puzzle experience and worth 800 Wiiware points. However, it's impossible to ignore the missed potential: It could have been bigger and more attractive without too much extra work.

Dark Void may be the most aptly named game to ever be released - with a half-dozen good concepts sucked in, alas, never to be seen again. It ranks even lower than last year's Bionic Commando in Capcom's list of franchises that had promise but turned out to be no fun to play. A little more fluidity, polish and thought would have made a big difference for this game, as it stands though, Dark aVoid this one.

Dark Void may be the most aptly named game to ever be released - with a half-dozen good concepts sucked in, alas, never to be seen again. It ranks even lower than last year's Bionic Commando in Capcom's list of franchises that had promise but turned out to be no fun to play. A little more fluidity, polish and thought would have made a big difference for this game, as it stands though, Dark aVoid this one.

Dark Void may be the most aptly named game to ever be released - with a half-dozen good concepts sucked in, alas, never to be seen again. It ranks even lower than last year's Bionic Commando in Capcom's list of franchises that had promise but turned out to be no fun to play. A little more fluidity, polish and thought would have made a big difference for this game, as it stands though, Dark aVoid this one.

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.

A neat pick-up-and-play variation on Bejeweled and a solid entry for the franchise.

The loot isn't game-changing, the plot is bare-bones, and the story-building basically nonexistent. Unless you absolutely need to possess Cailan's sweet golden shoulderpads, stop your plans to Return to Ostagar and turn straight back.

The game itself is mostly forgettable, but the fluttery feeling you’ll get when the two of you bump virtual chests isn’t.

The game itself is mostly forgettable, but the fluttery feeling you’ll get when the two of you bump virtual chests isn’t.

Even with the courses meticulously pieced together from the real thing, I'm just struck that, again, this is a full-price purchase for what is essentially a collection of two-button games that have been around since the earliest video games.

At best, I would say this is a game that you can thoroughly ... tolerate.

It's slow to get moving, it's nothing like what a console gamer is expecting in an action game or a “normal” RPG, and with the noticeable graphical problems it feels half-way done. It's a real shame, because it's a fun twist on the “hero vs. dragon” story with some neat ideas that just don't make it to fruition.

Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond certainly isn't the best side-scrolling shooter around, but it tries its best to make up for that fact with self-deprecating humor and plentiful gaming references.

Darksiders is a title that takes a lot of bold risks and almost all of them pay off, but it's not without it's share of technical issues. While it may have the drive to run with the big dogs, it lacks the final polish that one would hope for.

Darksiders is a title that takes a lot of bold risks and almost all of them pay off, but it's not without it's share of technical issues. While it may have the drive to run with the big dogs, it lacks the final polish that one would hope for.

An action game fan’s wet dream. Despite a derivative structure and a few technical stumbles—like occasional slowdown and frequent screen tearing—Bayonetta takes everything that’s good about every other combo-heavy action game, cranks up the intensity, fine tunes the combat, and bundles it in a single, sexy, “au naturel” package.

An action game fan’s wet dream. Despite a derivative structure and a few technical stumbles—like occasional slowdown and frequent screen tearing—Bayonetta takes everything that’s good about every other combo-heavy action game, cranks up the intensity, fine tunes the combat, and bundles it in a single, sexy, “au naturel” package.

As a fan of the series, the only notable downside I can point out in this game is its lack of personality.

Sadly enough, I just can't see this as anything special. The cinematics are nicely done, and the voice acting isn't terrible, but it's not worth the hours of running on foot and wandering over the same areas multiple times to see some odd body language with forced English dubs.

The limited variety of each type of weapon, the fact that Nazis can see through disguises too easily, the lack of auto-targeting for melee combat, and destroying Nazi property with dynamite over and over again does make boredom set in faster than it should.

The limited variety of each type of weapon, the fact that Nazis can see through disguises too easily, the lack of auto-targeting for melee combat, and destroying Nazi property with dynamite over and over again does make boredom set in faster than it should.

READER NOTE: Play this game alone, and in the dark—I find it kind of weird to even have to tell anybody this, but here we are (for an added mood bonus, I suppose you could even play the game with your back to a open door leading to a darkened side yard, long hallway, or garage... but it doesn't sound like a good idea).

Even with a few hiccups along the way, most of them technical ones in the Wiiware version of the game, the story and characters more than make up for any of that.

At $10 or whatever that translates to in Microsoft fun money, you're looking at at least another eight hours of gameplay (maybe more if you don't work on the brain-hunting missions while doing all the other ones). At that price, Zombie Island just may be the perfect place for your next vacation, and for your next level up too.

A fun time and very well executed game. If you’re looking for something to play on the road while on vacation, or hiding away from society in a bomb shelter until Christmas blows over, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks makes as good a companion as a Ghost Princess.

MX vs. ATV: Reflex would benefit greatly from a diet of raw motocross action. Without the added weight of the Rider Reflex controls, the other vehicles, or its half-baked race types, this could be one lean, dirt-shredding machine. As it is, it’s a misshapen lump of flabby features and excess ideas.

MX vs. ATV: Reflex would benefit greatly from a diet of raw motocross action. Without the added weight of the Rider Reflex controls, the other vehicles, or its half-baked race types, this could be one lean, dirt-shredding machine. As it is, it’s a misshapen lump of flabby features and excess ideas.

For the airport terminal and the back pew in church, this'll do you just fine... just have a good back-up game when you feel like your dictionary's gotten enough of a workout. Shouldn't take long.

I simply cannot wait to see the conclusion, and am already hoping Season Two comes along sometime next year.

As with all fighting games, Tekken 6 - just like a certain something else - is fun to mess around with by yourself, but certainly more enjoyable if you can play with someone who knows what they’re doing.

At $10 or whatever that translates to in Microsoft fun money, you're looking at at least another eight hours of gameplay (maybe more if you don't work on the brain-hunting missions while doing all the other ones). At that price, Zombie Island just may be the perfect place for your next vacation, and for your next level up too.

At $10 or whatever that translates to in Microsoft fun money, you're looking at at least another eight hours of gameplay (maybe more if you don't work on the brain-hunting missions while doing all the other ones). At that price, Zombie Island just may be the perfect place for your next vacation, and for your next level up too.

Assassin's Creed was easily one of my favorite games of the last decade, and I love the sequel even more. It has managed to improve on almost every aspect of the game, despite missing a couple of obvious and unfortunate mistakes. This side trip to Italy is a truly fantastic vacation and worth every dollar, euro, or gold Florin.

Assassin's Creed was easily one of my favorite games of the last decade, and I love the sequel even more. It has managed to improve on almost every aspect of the game, despite missing a couple of obvious and unfortunate mistakes. This side trip to Italy is a truly fantastic vacation and worth every dollar, euro, or gold Florin.

Alright, so it's not entirely broken, and you can get better at using the board with enough practice. But that's the problem: You can only get better, you can't actually get good. You know, where you can reliably go where you want to and pull off the trick you want to, like you can in every other Tony Hawk game.

Half-assed game.

Left 4 Dead 2 may have lost some of that new zombie smell, but its cooperative play is still among the best.

The gameplay improvements were a welcome change and the new split screen is an essential new addition to Lego games. However, without the characters or story to hold it up, the game doesn't reach the height of its predecessors.

The gameplay improvements were a welcome change and the new split screen is an essential new addition to Lego games. However, without the characters or story to hold it up, the game doesn't reach the height of its predecessors.

A lot of learning material.

God of War Collection doesn’t really change anything about the God of War series other than a graphical facelift and there’s no way to go back to the game selection screen other than reloading the game, but it’s hard to complain about two HD-enhanced ‘A-‘ titles for $20 apiece.

Scene It? can only be entertaining - not to mention, fair - if everyone playing not only has comparable movie knowledge but also comparable gaming experience, which is completely ludicrous for a casual party game. And the thing that's so infuriating about it all is that these problems could have been fixed with almost zero effort.

Left 4 Dead 2 may have lost some of that new zombie smell, but its cooperative play is still among the best.

With the right combination of driving aids on, the game is actually playable for anyone with an interest in driving around in non-ovals, but there just isn't anything here to get in a tizzy about. It's not gorgeous, it's not deep (even Career mode isn't), and it's not anything you haven't played before. And while that might not say much for what's actually here, it isn't the worst thing either system has to offer.

The New Super Mario Bros. Wii is not horrible, unplayable, or anything ridiculous. It's just not as much fun as you had playing with older versions of the stubby mustached plumber.

Multiplayer is what it's all about, and here it's is head and shoulders (and torso and waist and legs and feet) above its nearest competition in terms of accessibility, balancing, strategic depth, technical prowess, and all around fun - so much so that it makes the campaign mode look like an tiny, ugly mole hidden away in some bodily crevice.

Multiplayer is what it's all about, and here it's is head and shoulders (and torso and waist and legs and feet) above its nearest competition in terms of accessibility, balancing, strategic depth, technical prowess, and all around fun - so much so that it makes the campaign mode look like an tiny, ugly mole hidden away in some bodily crevice.

Compared to the hundreds of hours you might spend in Modern Warfare 2’s brilliant multiplayer mode, the few hours you might lose to its painful singleplayer game will fade like a bad memory.

The online mode is there as it is with nearly every fighting game to come out in the last five years and it serves its purpose just dandy. Unfortunately, the broken gameplay immediately removes any gold starz DBZ would have eared for online functionality.

The online mode is there as it is with nearly every fighting game to come out in the last five years and it serves its purpose just dandy. Unfortunately, the broken gameplay immediately removes any gold starz DBZ would have eared for online functionality.

And really, this is Call of Duty: MW once more, and except for some sketchy controls, you really can't go too far wrong. If you need to shoot somebody, and for some reason have that urge while only having access to a Wii (a problem which should probably be looked into further), this will scratch that itch.

Not including local multiplayer might seem like a yellow flag to some, but the strong online component is sure to give the game legs if past Nintendo racers like Mario Kart DS are any indication.

The climax of the story, however, is quite interesting, albeit a tad rushed. Still, it sets up the apparent season finale for episode four, The Bogey Man, nicely.

It doesn't last long, at about three to four hours, but it concentrates on quality and humor. Just don't dare go on a vacation with these two.

After a four-day marathon of couch-indenting focus playing Dragon Age: Origins for at least fifty hours, I can safely say that there was not one moment of regret. It shows why BioWare is one of the leading developers of our time.