This adaptation of the best-seller, narrated perfectly by Patrick Stewart, but the visuals and animations are clearly sub-par. For a platformer reminiscent of Limbo, it's particularly bad, since it makes the levels hard to read, and the poor gameplay doesn't help at all, making it frustratingly difficult. Too many shortcomings for a title that could have been quite nice, too bad.

Grand Knight History is the RPG surprise of this summer in the japanese production. One that tries to further the debate, all the while bursting free from the clichés of a genre by throwing away the story, mostly irrelevant here. Vanillaware's game doesn't look for an easy exit by making such a choice, but by focusing everything on its game system, it also succeeds, since it provides a mesmerizing pleasure to Tactical RPG and Wargames fans.

Rather old-school in its approach, Rayman Origins still remains a game that fits well with today's standards. Its gorgeous, blessed by an exceptional soundtrack, it's beyond reproach in terms of fine-tuned gameplay, for a 2D platform approach that's super rich, and intense in terms of challenge. As fun and enticing in solo play as it is in multiplayer, it has almost no shortcoming.

Rather old-school in its approach, Rayman Origins still remains a game that fits well with today's standards. Its gorgeous, blessed by an exceptional soundtrack, it's beyond reproach in terms of fine-tuned gameplay, for a 2D platform approach that's super rich, and intense in terms of challenge. As fun and enticing in solo play as it is in multiplayer, it has almost no shortcoming.

This is a game targeting the younger ones. Easy to play, those new olympic trials include football, cycling, badminton, beach volley, kayaking, and horse riding. Globally, they are well implemented, and there's the "dream challenges", which offer a new take on some classic sports through action, racing and platforming levels to boost the content. It's perfect for a birthday with chocolate cake, fun and accessible, but that's if you haven't reached puberty yet.

Anno 2070 was expected to take itself very seriously, but the way it deals with the eco theme is caricatural. Too bad. However, the anticipation background remains refreshing for the series, and the gameplay keeps everything the fans liked. Blue Byte doesn't change the formula, but adds a couple layers of richness to the content (three factions, scientific research, community bonus). Only the combats would gain by being completely re-thought.

The Need for Speed series made quite a name for itself in the arcade driving genre with Hot Pursuit, the previous game. Developped by another studio, The Run isn't as rich as was its predecessor, and also suffers from some issues with its AI, playability, and extremely short solo play. All this combined makes it a little disappointing, but its far from being a complete failure. The Autolog and multiplayer save the day.

The Need for Speed series made quite a name for itself in the arcade driving genre with Hot Pursuit, the previous game. Developped by another studio, The Run isn't as rich as was its predecessor, and also suffers from some issues with its AI, playability, and extremely short solo play. All this combined makes it a little disappointing, but its far from being a complete failure. The Autolog and multiplayer save the day.

Indeed, despite some impressive work to overhaul this classic, Halo CE did age a little here and there. But this remake also proves the genius behind some elements, which were kept intact, like its core gameplay, AI, and universe that still withstand the comparison with today's standards, 10 years later. With its attractive price and comprehensive offer, added bonuses, it's hard to miss for the fans and those who missed the episode that started it all but loved the others.

This fourth game gets, at last, the series in the HD era. But let's keep cool: the end result remains dated in terms of animations and presentation, despite the visual overhaul. Following the opposite trend from this shortcoming, the game system offers a richness and modern tactical genius like no other. Its odd and funny story tone, mature jokes and satirical atmosphere are even cooler than before. If you like the TRPG genre, or want to try it, don't hesitate. Beware though : this game is quite the time sinker, you may very well get lost into it.

A platformer of great quality, visually stunning, and offering an interesting architecture filled with funny and interesting details making a brilliant use of the stereoscopic 3D. It sure is a little too easy for the most part, probably because of it wants to remain as accessible as possible, making its first few levels a walk in the park for the fan, but its charms work nonetheless. It's hard to look elsewhere once you started diving into its worlds, before actually finishing them entirely... as expected, it's a must-have of the platform.

Saints Row revises its structure and reduces its sandbox angle in favor of a more coherent and polished world and gameplay experience. The campaign missions are packed with fun, surprises, and new stuff, and worthy of praise on their own. Even though one will feel a little less free and overwhelmed with stuff to do than with the previous episode, the trade-off is worthwhile.

Saints Row revises its structure and reduces its sandbox angle in favor of a more coherent and polished world and gameplay experience. The campaign missions are packed with fun, surprises, and new stuff, and worthy of praise on their own. Even though one will feel a little less free and overwhelmed with stuff to do than with the previous episode, the trade-off is worthwhile.

Without taking the crown of the Kirby of all Kirbys, the one that swallows its ennemies, transforms and holds its breath to fly, the ten little gluttons of Kirby : Mass Attack are a good example of a smart use of the tactile interface of the DS. It takes a little of Pikmin and Mario in the best possible way, even though one might feel like it's getting repetitive on the long run.

ACR has its shortcomings, but they're nothing compared to the pleasure this title delivers. Large, more polished and varied, quite pretty and offering an adventure and a story more enticing than ever, the solo play doesn't disappoint, even though it's still based on the same tricks and elements established a few episodes ago. It may be time to alter the formula. Ben even so, the multiplayer has been refined, all the while becoming more accessible. Overall, it's an action-adventure must-have.

ACR has its shortcomings, but they're nothing compared to the pleasure this title delivers. Large, more polished and varied, quite pretty and offering an adventure and a story more enticing than ever, the solo play doesn't disappoint, even though it's still based on the same tricks and elements established a few episodes ago. It may be time to alter the formula. Ben even so, the multiplayer has been refined, all the while becoming more accessible. Overall, it's an action-adventure must-have.

One thing's for sure: Skyward Sword will divide. Its numerous qualities, among which the changes of scenery, the ingeniousness of the puzzles, make it able to provide us with a quest rich with intense moments, but some imprecision and lengthy sections prevent it from becoming the new and reformed shiny prince the series needed. If the Wii MotionPlus gameplay enables the immersion to go a step further, it requires a rigorous play style and will spawn some frustrations when it sometimes (rarely) doesn't work perfectly well. A beautiful adventure remains, still, proud to be the hallmark of the 25th anniversary of Link, Zelda & co... but not sufficiently sparkling to eclipse the infinite magic of the Ocarina of Time and Link to the Past episodes.

Quotation forthcoming.

Quotation forthcoming.

No, War of the North is not the blockbuster expected by the most enthusiastic of the fans. If it wasn't supported by such a strong license, it would even stay under the radar. But here we are : the fact that it remains so true to Tolkien's world and references it so well, with some true epic moments (the combat against a giant, the journey mounted on an eagle, the encounter with a dragon...) just saves it. Despite the numerous bugs and an energic but average combat system, it works : one always wants to make progress, and discover more. Lastly, the split-screen play has but one merit, to exist, since it's so chaotic to play. On the other hand, the online co-op is a real plus.

Take what you loved in Morrowind, cut out what you hated in Oblivion, multiply by 10, mix well, and there you go: you get Elder Scrolls V Skyrim. With its deep background, enticing prophecy, new gameplay mechanisms, Skyrim mesmerizes us into diving in its world completely and forgetting about the usual shortcomings of the series (except the poor animations - they really are too bad to be overlooked). If you like the series, but don't love it, get this game. If you love the series, you better get yourself a pair of fresh undies, and fast.

Modern Warfare 3 concludes the trilogy with a solo campaign that goes beyond my expectations, and a multiplayer with subtle yet efficient revisions. It boasts better balancing and takes into account the supportive players more than ever compared to the regular solo guns blazing hero. Quite comprehensive, it also re-introduces the beloved Spec Ops mode, and the launch of Call of Duty Elite grants him the best available service in that category. Even though in terms of production values, and scope of the competitive multiplayer, Battlefield 3 harms Activision's champion, it remains a title that is firmly anchored to its traditional strengths, and doesn't get lazy. The lovers will be ecstatic, the haters gonna hate.

Modern Warfare 3 concludes the trilogy with a solo campaign that goes beyond my expectations, and a multiplayer with subtle yet efficient revisions. It boasts better balancing and takes into account the supportive players more than ever compared to the regular solo guns blazing hero. Quite comprehensive, it also re-introduces the beloved Spec Ops mode, and the launch of Call of Duty Elite grants him the best available service in that category. Even though in terms of production values, and scope of the competitive multiplayer, Battlefield 3 harms Activision's champion, it remains a title that is firmly anchored to its traditional strengths, and doesn't get lazy. The lovers will be ecstatic, the haters gonna hate.

A combination of the best of Sonic, Sonic Generations reinvents, while staying true to the myth, and serves the fan well, whatever its generation is. It's an anthology of the musics, the pictures, the bosses, characters and levels we loved the most during those past 20 years of Sonic games, and one that, while not perfect (some gameplay imprecisions do subsist), remains a must-have for the Sonic lovers.

A combination of the best of Sonic, Sonic Generations reinvents, while staying true to the myth, and serves the fan well, whatever its generation is. It's an anthology of the musics, the pictures, the bosses, characters and levels we loved the most during those past 20 years of Sonic games, and one that, while not perfect (some gameplay imprecisions do subsist), remains a must-have for the Sonic lovers.

The sport lovers are indeed in a good place for this year's end. If Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge doesn't reach the level of other sports games like Top Spin 4 or NBA 2K12, it still remains a deep and enticing game, for the specialists and the newcomers alike. Its simplified gameplay and rich content make it a benchmark, even though one can still rant about some inconsistencies in terms of immersion. Shortcomings that will probably be fixed for the next edition, already announced for a september 2012 release.

We knew about "game design", but with PixelJunk SideScroller, we can now talk about Designer Games. The tasty neo-modern look of this Q-Games shoot'em up isn't everything there is to it: the game itself is a very good one, maybe a little light though, for shoot'em up pros or otherwise.

With a lot of gameplay mechanics taken from Sports Champions, which give a good feeling of playing a hero perfectly mimicking or own moves, this PS Move only game works perfectly well. The playability and accessibility, both excellent, allow the player to quickly dive in this quest, even though it's a little repetitive (the genre tends to be). Visually nice, and funny, Prince Edmund's quest is a good PS Move game.