Exploiting the PSP capabilities nicely, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep offers a long ride, with the three crossing adventures of its three heroes, and those new, subtle innovations integrated in the gameplay (especially alchemy and the fury moves). This episode is an enchanting one, with a beautiful atmosphere and dynamic gameplay... even though you need need to be in touch with the child within yourself to fully appreciate it.

If the fans of Spider-Man will be caught in the web of these four universes, the others will be disappointed by the gameplay, a bit limited... Fortunately, the ever-present humor, the different atmosphere of each universe, the splendid graphics, the dozens of bonuses, unlockable abilities and powers of each Spidey manage to offset this.

With a much lower pace than its competitors, in favor of its truly strategic (rather than tactical) approach, R.U.S.E. provides large-scale battles filled with subtlety, twists, and finesse, for its solo adventure and multiplayer alike. Its system of ruses, most notably, is absolutely brilliant for building up effective attack and defense strategies, especially when you're able to keep most of your real intentions concealed up to the very last minute. It's a game one needs to approach from afar, with the intelligence of a general, and a real soft gem in a world of brutish RTS games. It's a really different alternative to StarCraft II that really deserves attention, if only to discover another way to wage war.

With a much lower pace than its competitors, in favor of its truly strategic (rather than tactical) approach, R.U.S.E. provides large-scale battles filled with subtlety, twists, and finesse, for its solo adventure and multiplayer alike. Its system of ruses, most notably, is absolutely brilliant for building up effective attack and defense strategies, especially when you're able to keep most of your real intentions concealed up to the very last minute. It's a game one needs to approach from afar, with the intelligence of a general, and a real soft gem in a world of brutish RTS games. It's a really different alternative to StarCraft II that really deserves attention, if only to discover another way to wage war.

With a much lower pace than its competitors, in favor of its truly strategic (rather than tactical) approach, R.U.S.E. provides large-scale battles filled with subtlety, twists, and finesse, for its solo adventure and multiplayer alike. Its system of ruses, most notably, is absolutely brilliant for building up effective attack and defense strategies, especially when you're able to keep most of your real intentions concealed up to the very last minute. It's a game one needs to approach from afar, with the intelligence of a general, and a real soft gem in a world of brutish RTS games. It's a really different alternative to StarCraft II that really deserves attention, if only to discover another way to wage war.

Fun in many ways, but showing a number of defects that are likely to be in the final Dead Rising 2, Case Zero offers enough playing time to make a first review. This kind of "demo" (worth 400 Microsoft Points) has good things to offer, but do not expect to learn a lot of juicy details about the past of Chuck Greene or that kind of stuff, you would be disappointed.

After the brilliant episodes from Retro Studio, renewing the license was a big challenge that the Japanese studio Team Ninja has successfully met, thanks to a smart approach: going back to basics to innovate, taking the best in the series and refresh it. Metroid Other: M is definitely a super Metroid!

For fans of the genre, Joint Assault isn't going very far in any aspect. But its combat remains nice, even though its playability is a little slow at first, since it takes some time for it to become more dynamic. Its production values are average, similar to the previous 2006 PSP episode (Skies of Deception), but its missions clearly lack ambition or surprises, much like its politico-economic fictional backdrop. To sum it up, the flight plan lacks any noticeable turbulence to spice it up, but it's still nice, especially when playing coop or competitive with and against friends.

With its looney storyline, hilarious dialogs, and end credits that should bring tears to the eyes of emotive fanboys, The City That Dares Not Sleep proves once again Telltale's domination on crazy point & click adventure games. A perfect conclusion to a near perfect season, highly recommended.

Even though Gunblade NY and LA Machineguns are indeed decent titles of the genre, it's difficult not to take in to account the scandalous price of this bundle ; the true value of both titles is more one for the heart, than your wallet.

Valkyria Chronicles 2 will take a lot of your time before you actually enter the heart of the matter, but if you have enough courage to get through the first few hours of play - filled with too easy missions and a clumsy adventure part of little interest - you will eventually find an excellent set of action / strategy, as deep as it is original and beautifully executed. Not to waste anything, the improvements over the PS3 version are very interesting (class changes) and the limitations of the PSP cleverly circumvented (with combat zones divided in smaller parts for an added strategic element). Do not expect a deep adventure, though. This aspect remains very light (and a bit naive I must say).

Here's how to sum up Mafia II : 12 hours of repetitive, linear missions, with but a few gameplay mechanics. Shoot, drive, punch, a tiny little bit of stealth, that's it. There's nothing more to be done than to follow the unfolding of the plot, which is clearly sub-par, especially when considering how easy it is to watch a rerun of The Godfather or a season of the Sopranos instead. Replay value is nil, there's no multiplayer. You can't even roam freely in the city after the ending (what for anyway, one may ask). Combat is way to easy, cars don't provide much thrill. In the end, Mafia II is a very pretty box, but an empty one. 80% of what has been developed doesn't serve any real purpose. The rest isn't enough to make a great game. If you're a die hard fan of the 50's atmosphere (nicely rendered), and the Mafia genre, you might still enjoy it. Otherwise...

Here's how to sum up Mafia II : 12 hours of repetitive, linear missions, with but a few gameplay mechanics. Shoot, drive, punch, a tiny little bit of stealth, that's it. There's nothing more to be done than to follow the unfolding of the plot, which is clearly sub-par, especially when considering how easy it is to watch a rerun of The Godfather or a season of the Sopranos instead. Replay value is nil, there's no multiplayer. You can't even roam freely in the city after the ending (what for anyway, one may ask). Combat is way to easy, cars don't provide much thrill. In the end, Mafia II is a very pretty box, but an empty one. 80% of what has been developed doesn't serve any real purpose. The rest isn't enough to make a great game. If you're a die hard fan of the 50's atmosphere (nicely rendered), and the Mafia genre, you might still enjoy it. Otherwise...

Here's how to sum up Mafia II : 12 hours of repetitive, linear missions, with but a few gameplay mechanics. Shoot, drive, punch, a tiny little bit of stealth, that's it. There's nothing more to be done than to follow the unfolding of the plot, which is clearly sub-par, especially when considering how easy it is to watch a rerun of The Godfather or a season of the Sopranos instead. Replay value is nil, there's no multiplayer. You can't even roam freely in the city after the ending (what for anyway, one may ask). Combat is way to easy, cars don't provide much thrill. In the end, Mafia II is a very pretty box, but an empty one. 80% of what has been developed doesn't serve any real purpose. The rest isn't enough to make a great game. If you're a die hard fan of the 50's atmosphere (nicely rendered), and the Mafia genre, you might still enjoy it. Otherwise...

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light establishes itself as a truly entertaining, easy to handle spin-off, that offers a real refreshment to the saga. The game is challenging, long enough, and one gets used to the isometric 3D... yet with a longing for the time when one could still enjoy the gorgeous curves of the beautiful raider in full frontal glory.

Despite its linearity, Kane & Lynch 2 offers memorable action sequences. There's a true visual identity, very efficient for conveying a brutal, ugly, reality that really captures our attention. Io Interactive was able to correct its original game, in order to deliver a visceral, life-like follow-up.

Despite its linearity, Kane & Lynch 2 offers memorable action sequences. There's a true visual identity, very efficient for conveying a brutal, ugly, reality that really captures our attention. Io Interactive was able to correct its original game, in order to deliver a visceral, life-like follow-up.

For the price of a Coke at the local coffee shop, The Golems of Amgarrak has enough to fill an evening, playing frantically to survive the succession of battles. That's good, it rained tonight. It performs its role honestly, given the absence of major claims... But we still hope something much more substantial to wait until the release of Dragon Age 2!

Quotation forthcoming.

Harmony of Despair leaves a weird taste in the mouth of a Castlevania fan. It's like a patchwork of gameplays that weren't really supposed to be sewed together for multiplayer, yet that kinda stands upright without us really knowing how. But after hours spent discovering it's "only" 6 castles, all that remains is some tribute Time Attack coop game that isn't quite what we'd have hoped for a Castlevania multiplayer experience.

The Signal is, simply put, another episode in Alan Wake's nightmare. This direct follow-up to the story of the main game doesn't answer all the questions one might have, but opens up another chapter for the writer, and also introduces some new situations - a variety we can only welcome. It's clearly destined to those who finished the main game first, and since it's free for all who bought the game, it would be a shame not to play it!

StarCraft II, as expected, is an evolution rather than a revolution of the original. True to its roots, the game doesn't lose itself by trying to reinvent a formula that has proven itself (and still is, actually). StarCraft II shines thanks to a flawless production, fantastic gameplay with loads of of little additions and improvements, and an overhaul of its multiplayer side. With a very demanding high-level gameplay but still very accessible to newbies thanks to its casual mode and matchmaking feature, the latest Blizzard baby is another demonstration of the old saying: old friends are the best. Can't wait for the follow-up!

Blessed by its magnificent 2D, black and white visuals, Limbo immediately captures. But then, controller in hands, the player will quickly realize it also delivers major gameplay scenes. The journey may be a relatively short one (half a dozen hours top), but who cares : it's a unique, powerful one. You will forget reality and dive into an evanescent dream, deliciously tormented. Simple. Bewitching. Memorable. Thanks.

The end of this third season is closing in, and Telltale Games definitely stepped up the craziness in this next to last episode. One can only appreciate it. The adventure is rich and diverse, the dialogues hilarious, and the supporting characters full of surprises, of which the plot itself doesn't lack at all. What more do you need from a point & click game?

Clearly, DeathSpank's main strength is in its dialog and humor. As an Action RPG, it remains a little too simple to fulfill the needs of hardcore hack'n slash fans, and some game design flaws and ergonomics mistakes render its 10 or so gameplay hours a little bit tedious and less inspired than we'd hoped. It still is a visually charming, point'n click and silly ideas enriched adventure to dive in. Its shortcomings can easily be ignored by those who like games that don't take themselves too seriously, something DeathSpank achieves with flying colors.

Clearly, DeathSpank's main strength is in its dialog and humor. As an Action RPG, it remains a little too simple to fulfill the needs of hardcore hack'n slash fans, and some game design flaws and ergonomics mistakes render its 10 or so gameplay hours a little bit tedious and less inspired than we'd hoped. It still is a visually charming, point'n click and silly ideas enriched adventure to dive in. Its shortcomings can easily be ignored by those who like games that don't take themselves too seriously, something DeathSpank achieves with flying colors.

Dragon Quest IX delivers on its promises. The old school gameplay mechanics, unchanged for the most part, really shine in a multiplayer mode that is surprisingly comfy and accessible. Hardened players will probably grunt at the easier 10 or so hours of the beginning, which doesn't really prompt for any strategic thinking. But the high production values and the richness of content are reason enough to enjoy the dozens of gameplay hours, solo, or otherwise.

If you're an adventure games fan and didn't yet try this legend of the genre, you can't miss this new special edition. Now if you're already a fan knowing the whole game by heart, quoting the best punch lines during high society galas, here's an opportunity to dive in again and rediscover this mythical game under a new light. The only thing we were disappointed with was the creators' commentary: it fell short of our expectations, otherwise it would have garnered 5 stars easy.