I've been waiting for a long time to see this franchise take place in the Victorian era, and Assassin's Creed Syndicate doesn't disappoint. Sure, there are some bugs and a few missteps, but I see myself playing through the game at least one more time before I put it aside.

Even though this Twisted Metal might be a decade newer, it doesn't stray far from its series' heritage. It makes driving a vehicle equipped with weapons of every kind as fun as it sounds. It's a title aimed directly at bringing heart-racing competition to the living room and the unique vehicles, powerful weapons, and complexity make it the perfect title to enjoy with friends. It isn't every day that you play a game that rewards you for driving fast and blowing enemies up, but that's exactly what Twisted Metal is an expert at.

Aside from a few clumsy design choices, mostly regarding side mission requirements and scrounging around awkwardly for the few required missions, Yo-Kai Watch is a charming gem that’s only helping bolster the claim that fun and full RPG experiences are only getting better on portable hardware.

Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam is an odd game, a semi-successful title that achieves a lot of success in its different elements but fails to come together as a cohesive title.

Future episodes will likely have to introduce deeper gameplay, since it's easy to master Episode One. But on its own, Penny Arcade Adventures is a very solid game with a unique and refined take on role-playing gameplay that would stand on its own even without the Penny Arcade brand of humor.

But take heart, horror-inclined gamers. Any random two minutes of Ties that Bind's blood-soaked gameplay is likely to give your parents, stuffy friends or sensitive authority figures of your choice the dribbling shiznits, and pretty much all the first game's good stuff has remained intact.

What truly rocks is the game's affordability. Donkey Konga comes with one bongo accessory in a neat and tidy $50 package. What a sweet concept.

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.

You get tiny little cinematic snippets here and there, but it never coheres into anything like an actual story.

While it doesn't take the series into any new frontiers, either in terms of naughty content or gameplay, it's still one of the most unusual and entertaining RPGs on the PS2 market. It's not a whole new world, but it is a fairly cool one.

You can’t forgive the absurd health meter, the retarded save system, the completely rehashed gameplay, or the misleading “clues”, but you’ll never forget the charming characters, witty dialog, and bizarre sexual conundrums.

Kirby Super Star Ultra is a solid title that could have been just a little fresher while still keeping Kirby rad. If only the little cream puff could run up onto some baddies that were a little more hardcore, his abilities might finally outshine his amazing super-cuteness.

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.

It's a little hard recommending a port of a four year-old game for the full $40 price tag. Couple that with the ruthless difficulty caused by the continue system and it becomes clear that this is for hardcore shooter vets only.

Customization incarnate. There are a thousand things you can change, including more managing and trading options than you could shake a stick at.

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

While the World Tour is interesting with its virtual pet teammate, it can get old and boring.

EA Sports UFC 2 has shown its improvements over its former self and continues to play the part. A mix of power and finesse, both in ring and out, there’s no doubt this is a solid pickup for folks interested in handing out beatings like their favorite MMA fighters do.

While Dying Light 2 does a lot right with its gameplay and new-gen presentation, it’s still a far cry from zombie gaming greatness. The weak story, uninspired mission design, limitations on initial player skills, and bugs let it down in a big way. Sure, a lot of this will be easy to ignore when fighting the undead as a four-man squad, but “it’s fun with friends” is an excuse that can only get you so far.

Sure, it lacks the licenses and loving treatment given to the major league games, but it's innovative enough for to warrant a go. Although some of its risks don't pan out, we still recommend recruiting this surprisingly skilled kid.

The Pitt is a much more fleshed-out expansion than Operation: Anchorage could ever hope to be. Still, its four-or-so-hour campaign does not have as many choices as the original game, making it feel limited in some aspects. However, even after considering these issues, your trip to post-apocalyptic Pittsburgh is worth the ten dollars (or 800 Microsoft Points).

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise-Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational will satisfy every fan of the golf genre and as polished as its console counterpart. The criticism that it's not as simple as its cheerful graphics is misguided, as anyone with good timing and planning can shoot up the scoreboard with ease. With a robust multiplayer, plenty of unlockable, and many hours of replay value, World Invitational is a clean, well-centered shot for the PlayStation Vita.

bit.Trip Runner stands practically alone in a crowded lineup of Wiiware releases. Like its predecessors, the nostalgia-fueled gameplay makes up most of this game's charm and it's easily recommendable as a downloadable title.

Cat Quest 2 is top of the line when it comes to offering classic mechanics to those newer to gaming.

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

NBA Live 06 is fine, decent, entirely competent, but who wants that again? We want bite, and even though this game has Marv Albert, it barely manages to break last year's skin.

It very easily could be the best game for youngsters I've ever played, and with my nephew I've played a decent number.

Unlike an actual dragon, 7th Dragon III Code VFD might not set the world on fire, but JRPG lovers should give it a chance all the same. There’s a lot to do and sink your teeth into, and it’s a perfect game to show to people who might find these sorts of games too daunting.