Serves up enough tasty D&D stew to satisfy your role-playing urges. It oozes with quality and is genuinely fun.

Street Fighter IV gives the series the slap on the back it needs to catapult into the current and shake the fighting genre to its core.

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.

Let's hope they take the lessons they learned from this steroid-fueled installment and carry the tradition of tight content additions and smart gameplay tweaks into the next generation.

The paper-rock-scissors effect has never been so intricately factored into the units, the missions are interesting, and all your favorite actors (from Udo Kier to Ray Wise) are back to make Yuri's some of the sweetest revenge ever.

Regardless how you classify it, everything in this DLC is so exciting to play through, that it doesn't make feel like this an attempt to grab even more money from players.

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 point is, the game has no context, and it could use one.

A reliable, fun game that puts some nice, new spin on an old sport. If you can look past its limited depth, you'll have a ball.

Pure is the new kid on the block, and if given a sequel or two to improve, it could grow into a brilliant beast of a man.

But all those bells and whistles take a back-seat to solid fundamentals and a commitment to comedy, making God Hand only the best beat-em-up game released for the PS2.

Despite the fact that The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay is a somewhat short, linear romp with limited replayability, it's about as good as Xbox action gaming gets, from its fantastic delivery to its fun combat.

An unparalleled multi-player experience for the Dreamcast, full of style, humor and balls-out, dead-on physics, and is simply one of the all-time must-have Dreamcast titles in terms of replayability, laughs, subtlety and sheer nastiness.

A great fetch that celebrates why we love cute, little animals so much.

A game that equals the movie's cultish charm and, in some ways, surpasses it. If you don't believe us, come out and play.

One of the finest examples of downloadable content that other developers should emulate.

An acceptable port, which simply adds online features (no duh) and some extra unlockable artwork. However, its strength is mainly carried by the smooth, solid gameplay already inherent in Third Strike and not by its newfangled embellishments.

These two games make a superb collection which I highly recommend at a mere $40. Even if you already own copies of both games, you'd do well to pick it up for the HD, stereoscopic 3D, and Trophy support at such a bargain price.

The gameplay that was amazing a year and a half ago is not as shockingly new, leading to a battle that many of you will feel you’ve already fought. Still, the seamless inclusion of land, sea and air combat coupled with the intensity of jungle warfare wins it a medal of honor.

Regardless how you classify it, everything in this DLC is so exciting to play through, that it doesn't make feel like this an attempt to grab even more money from players.

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 acceptable port, which simply adds online features (no duh) and some extra unlockable artwork. However, its strength is mainly carried by the smooth, solid gameplay already inherent in Third Strike and not by its newfangled embellishments.

Story is clear and intriguing

Does a fantastic job for the hardcore hockey fan with endless hours of play in Dynasty mode, but it can’t quite match the competition when it comes to delivery and mechanics. The lack of online play for Xbox owners once again makes me want to holler at EA for their irritating deal with Sony.

It doesn't try to do anything new or revolutionary, and as a result, is remarkably fun and easy to play.

A good choice; just remember, it's not the whole enchilada. I like the difficulty level of the bots within single player as well as the possibility of 8-player network play. And where else can you find a chance to put those damn dirty robots in their rightful place?

Bookworm Adventures 2 is PopCap at the top of its (literal) game: Great presentation, quirky humor, loads of play and replay value... and God help us all, it's even educational. Do yourself a favor and play it anyway.

As unfriendly as it is for beginners and, well, anyone that isn’t used to pressing every button and moving the joystick on the controller in every which way, that’s just perfect for a brand that is “as real as it gets”.

A deep puzzle game, and is in many ways better than "Myst." It takes the genre one step further, upping the ante if you will. If you enjoyed Myst, or are just yearning for a good puzzle, you'll love Obsidian.

The graphics and realism are breathtaking, if only the single player game wasn't so difficult! Experienced gamers will certainly get their money's worth out of this one, but novices should run screaming.

The voice acting is superb and the dialogue is witty. Couple that with a ridiculous story and you're guaranteed to at one point or another actually laugh out loud. Like the time when.... er...guess I'll be giving stuff away....crap.

It's a very easy game to pick up and enjoy.

It's tremendous fun and very addicting, despite the uninteresting plot and the bad acting. I only wish it were larger because I enjoyed it so much.

Really shines in its depth. The well crafted story, admirable science-fiction world, fully realized scenario, and quality core gameplay are sure to please...it just doesn't innovate enough.

A fun, inviting sim game that manages to do away with the hob-snobbery that usually surrounds golf. It's cleverly designed and is a good choice for strategic simulation fans.

The story is delivered with a good dose of humor, taking occasional potshots at Mario's past. The familiarity of the world is one of the game's greatest assets, and Nintendo does a great job keeping its tradition alive.

Passing the game is a short, easy task and other than the item collection in adventure mode, there isn't enough single player action to keep things fresh. But toss a few friends on the couch and it's magic.

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.

Currently the best of its kind with great graphics, a wealth of weapons and vehicles and solid play mechanics. Fans of online military fragging need look no further.

What you have here is a solid game and an excellent purchase for anyone owning a portable system.

Is it better than NBA 2K3? Well, no, not really, though some of you will find the faster-paced gameplay to be more enticing, and even doubters should check it out for the Freestyle control alone.

It suffers from several obvious shortcomings, but accomplishes what only a week ago seemed impossible by providing console gamers with the full Battlefield experience.

A fantastic rally racing game that aims to be a fantastic all-around off-road experience, but like internet porn, next time it needs to get a little dirtier.

Black Rock has proved the concept, shown what kind of polish they can muster, and given arcade racing fans a reason to get back in the game. The explosions and thrills will certainly last until the inevitable "Split/Second 2" throws a couple of different buildings at us.

Forged Alliance's AI is improved and now more aggressive. It also tends to attack with a stronger mix of units than previously, exposing fewer weaknesses.

It's a breath of fresh air to have a nonviolent place you can bring kids to without any misgivings. Maybe they'll learn about the importance of debt reduction as well.

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.

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

Final word, Replayability: Beneath this friendly, deceptively simple-looking game lies a smug, mocking worst-enemy waiting to happen—just when you think you’re starting to get ‘good’ at Peggle Nights, you’ll come to a new Zen level of understanding at which you realize, in the best meditative sense, that you know zilch, nada, zip, zero, jack-shit, nothing.

A shining example of what makes these games great. There is plenty of depth, and there’s no way you’ll see everything in one run-through. If you have a month or two to kill, check it out.

For either system, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords is a portable addiction, and while I recommend the PSP version, the DS game is almost as good.

Kingdom Hearts II is a blast - playable by nearly anyone, smarter than you'd expect, and built to a consistently impressive standard. Cartoon and RPG fandom isn't even required, as the story is outlandish and creative enough to ensnare even those wary of Disney.

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.

Now if only DICE can figure out how to address some of the issues that have plagued the Battlefield games since 1942, like bad single-player content and a pervasively noob-hostile atmosphere, we'd be in gaming heaven. As it stands, we're slightly below that.

The new features are generally welcomed but don’t change the fact that this is largely the same game you probably spent way too much time with last year.

Truly knuckles-scraping-against-asphalt hard, but not impossible. It's completely rewarding when you finally overcome the odds. Yet at the same time, it's a daunting game and is best to take on gradually in small doses.

Does a fantastic job for the hardcore hockey fan with endless hours of play in Dynasty mode, but it can’t quite match the competition when it comes to delivery and mechanics.

Red Alert 3 is a great deal of fun. If you like RTS games, and are not scared off by a little campy ridiculousness, you should give it a try.

A must-have for Rune fans, Vikings, berserkers, Mongol warlords and those with an unhealthy cutlery fixation. Added modes and features and improved control revitalizes an already solid game.

Base runs and bosses aside, Contra 4 is the most punishing game on the DS, but also one of the most satisfying. There is no room for error, nor are there any cheap shots. If you die, you screwed up. If you survive, you are officially hard to the titanium core.

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.

I wouldn't say I'm disappointed with Star Fox 64 3D, and it will prove to be one of the few must-haves at this point in the 3DS lifecycle, but for purists like me, there's something missing. I wouldn't trade the portability for the world, but there's still some ghostly reason to pull out the Nintendo 64 and play the game as it was originally released.

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.

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.

You still can't find a more engrossing, bot-builder. The level of customization has yet to be matched, making AC2:AA one of the most replayable games in your library.

A very well-done game.

Occasional hiccups or no, having this much open-world freedom to come at the enemy any old way you see fit is just too much damned fun.

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.

All of what makes the game exciting—the gorgeous environments, the giant VS suits, the epic boss battles, and the neat anchor tool—adds up to a magical action game, immersive in its environment, challenging in its furious fighting, and wide in its balance of both human-sized and giant-sized strategies. The weak, inconsequential story and clumsy, lethargic control are the only blemishes on this impressive and original effort.

One of the finest examples of downloadable content that other developers should emulate.

Despite its flaws, Age of Empires is great fun to play. The graphics and sound effects are of high quality, and the computer plays a respectable game. In fact, there is a very large selection of AIs to choose from in the scenario editor.

At least the game makes you feel more like a quarterback than ever before, and that's reason enough for one hell of an end-zone celebration.

Makes you chuckle and drives you to keep playing. I would have liked some deeper action or at least a longer experience, but this is still certainly worth the investment. Now where did I put that Bloody Mary mix?

The level of detail for the urban environments is jaw dropping. Colors are sharp and crisp and the textures are terrific. A ragdoll physics engine serves up some impressive death animations.

A good fighting game with a great gore factor.

If "MVP Baseball 2004" was Alec Baldwin, MVP Baseball 2005 is Daniel – mostly the same, but a little bit sleazier.

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

Even though I'm amazed that such a good game came together in such a short amount of time, I would have preferred to have waited for a few more levels. It's really a bummer, too, because the game is so much fun.

When it comes down to it, you've really got to ask yourself if Forza Motorsport 4 is for you. There's a ton of content and laypeople like myself will get sucked in when they realize that the enjoyable, speedy racing will unlock them tons of new cars. Still, if you've never dreamt, then what's the point of driving?

Sure, the Hulk is really just a one trick pony of destruction, but what a satisfying pony ride.

It’s silly to think that a team like USC, with so many returning stars, would have the same number of impact players as Cal. Instead of picking a lucky number and binding every team to it, the designers should have bound the number of impact players to some transitional stat, like returning upper-classmen.

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.

But big steps towards a deeper, more immersive experience haven't been made here. Even the most impassioned player must start asking for more out of the Final Fantasy institution.

Castle Crashers really is the great co-op experience that you were hoping it would be, but because it's just so consistently fun to play and look at, it holds up as a single-player experience as well.

Overall there's nothing incredibly ground breaking about Jeanne d'Arc. However it has an extremely compelling story with some great “Holy Crap!” moments.

Even with the improvements to the A.I. and enhanced multiplayer experience, the game feels more like an expansion pack than a stand-alone product.

The new features are generally welcomed but don’t change the fact that this is largely the same game you probably spent way too much time with last year.

For all the Blues Clues color palette, the flowers blowing in the breeze past dancing cacti, and a soundtrack that seems to recorded by the Alvin and the Chipmunks singing J-pop for a kindergarten show and tell on happy brownie recipes, it has the artistic polish that Sony is known for and a redesign that is nearly flawless for a sequel to a successful title.

A hard game. Those without degrees in strategy gaming will find their task daunting and, in many cases, too hard to accomplish. Lucky for me I'm well versed in the ways of the special forces.

A great new dose of anti-gravity racing magic and a must-have for all hardcore fans. Sure, you don't fix what 'aint broke, but I just wish the game had a little something more… a career more, vehicle upgrades, something.

What you have here is a solid game and an excellent purchase for anyone owning a portable system.

This is one critic who can see through the bullsh.t and has his name down in blood for Yakuza 5.

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.

What it lacks in depth and customization it pays back in spades with intense action sequences and a breathtaking level of destruction and interactivity.

Perhaps the biggest problem with Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition is the car control, which once again is just too simple.

The Elder Scrolls tech support forum is overflowing with user complaints about compatibility issues. At any rate, this is still the biggest, deepest, most detailed RPG to hit the PC since Daggerfall, and for that, earns high marks.

A great game. There are some missteps that a later patch or expansion should definitely address, but right out of the box the look, gameplay style and level of depth make this an easy buy for PC action gamers.

SCIV certainly doesn’t break any new ground, but it continues to do what it does best by providing us with some of the best weapons-based fighting action in town. The character customization is worth the price of admission, and the online game will keep you coming back for more.