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

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.

While Crackdown isn’t long on story or particularly original, it is as fun and addictive as the first syllable in its name implies. It may not be the biggest sandbox on the playground, but I sure had fun playing in it.

Crisis Core will make all mako energy-loving fanboys giddy with nostalgia, swoon over the sweeping soundtrack, and ingest every last detail of the story. Most everyone else probably won’t understand what all the hooplah is about.

Many action-oriented gamers arena’t going to like this game at all, but you strategy buffs will be pleased that Gladius is such a strong contender, because you really don’t have any other options. There are no other games like it.

Even if it doesn't exactly break new ground in the RPG genre, Hexyz Force plays its cards right, with a solid battle system and a pace that isn't too grating for quick portable gaming sessions.

There's no way to deny that The Battle for Middle Earth II is simply a lot of fun. The venerable mythology and frenetic battles come together in a very satisfying bundle.

I can't see anyone playing through this game multiple times (especially people who know the story front-to-back already), but for the newly initiated or the curious gamer, it's just nice to see a popular franchise turned into a perfectly playable video game.

Without a doubt, the best part of Blood Wake is its graphics. From coastal towns to the many scattered islands, there's always something well-rendered to look at.

It lacks the balance it would take to make it something really great, but what is there is fun, just not as phenomenal as some of Capcom's more recent franchise reboots.

American Wasteland is greased lightning on the 360, but is otherwise totally unchanged from its earlier release. I suppose it’s a fine purchase if you skipped out on the other versions, but keep in mind that you're just getting new wheels for the same old board.

After three years, a major hardware shift and a hungry audience, Animal Crossing: Wild World doesn't add anything new to the great original formula.

Green Day: Rock Band is a respectable game, but you don't need a review to tell you whether you should pick it up or not. If you like Green Day, you don't need to ask any more questions: Go pick up Green Day: Rock Band today.

Sadly, the PS2 version of Chaos Theory is very dark and not handsome at all. The animations are a little choppy, the framerate isn't completely solid, and since things are so dim, you'll probably spend most of your time looking at the environments through night-vision, which is kind of murky and green.

The only glaring criticism I have for the game is its lack of multiplayer, online or otherwise. Whereas the last console Rachet and Clank, “Deadlocked,” introduced a promising multiplayer component for the PS2, the PS3 version beats a hasty retreat. It doesn’t affect the final product much, but for those still unsold on the PS3’s online network, it raises an eyebrow.

Easily just as good as its progenitor, if not a bit more impressive with the better, stronger, faster online feature.

If there's one area in which ESPN clearly dominates the competition, it's in its graphics. Player models are terrific, the framerate is smooth throughout and the animations are pretty fluid.

Despite some outstanding graphics and gameplay that recalls the best of Zelda, the story disappoints and multiple facets of the action fail to reach their full potential.

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.

It won’t change the way you look at platformers, and it won’t inspire a generation of young gamers. But it’s a well-done, good-looking, and most of all fun game, and it really shows off what the PSP is capable of.

Improved graphics, more cars, and several new modes are among the upgrades that Destruction Derby Raw has to offer.

High production values, exciting vehicle sequences and the cool Bond Moments outweigh the tedious shooting bits and subpar stealth modes, leading to a solid use of the license.

Though this particular invasion doesn't really change the scope of the battle, it certainly adds some berserk energy to your armchair strategizing. Trust in Crom.

With fifty hours of story, branching down different paths based on your moral choices, Neverwinter Nights 2 would have already been a hefty adventure. But with the thousands of amateur dungeon masters that can’t wait to get in on the action, this quest will truly have no end. Despite a few nagging issues, this trip to Neverwinter is a satisfying experience and a worthy sequel.

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."

Sadly, Bulletstorm's multiplayer features make it a mixed bag, but there is a solid and enjoyable single-player campaign mode in there.

Elite Beat Agents is a wonderful DS game, entertaining but wound up a little too tightly.

Then again, in R4 you get to have each race started by a sexy Japanese polygonal model. Hmmm... sex, Pac-Man, and racing. I think I'll go play some R4.