All in all, you get exactly what you can expect from Chronicles of Mystara: An excellent, old-school brawler that won’t necessarily please younger gamers, but that will almost certainly delight older, nostalgic fans.

The newly redesigned characters combined with the already stellar graphics and physics make this a great game to play whether you're a fan of pool or if you just want a cool game to play this summer. Though I would've liked more game modes and I have my doubts about how large the online community will be in a few months, Pool Nation is still a must-buy for PlayStation 3 owners.

A welcome surprise and a nice break from the story-heavy and highly cinematic games that have come out in the past few months. This game is the definition of gameplay over presentation, and it’s all the better for it.

Gods Among Us provides a robust cast of DC fighters, gameplay mechanics that cater to gamers of all levels, and an extensive amount of content that will leave gamers delighted.

Rarely is a trip through time, courtesy of a video game, as engaging and enjoyable. This new mode delivers pure immersion due to the gameplay variety and era specific visuals.

BioShock Infinite is a sure-fire game-of-the-year candidate, and definitely one of the standout single-player games of this generation.

For the Naruto faithful this game is as good as it gets, and compared to some of the dreck that other anime studios have pushed into the gaming world fans can do a lot worse.

Capcom’s Monster Hunter team seems to be well aware of what their fans want, and with the multitude of improvements found in this remastered edition of MH3, newcomers have a very good reason to hop on the bandwagon and start enjoying this great franchise.

Judgment feels a bit like an excuse to provide the Xbox 360 with one last first-party game for what is likely to be its final year as Microsoft’s flagship game platform.

Improvements need to be made, but Metal Gear Rising has already established itself to be an action game well worth buying.

Lara’s latest adventure is one of the most fun, immersive, emotional, and thrilling rides the series has ever taken us on.

Despite Alien Breed’s shortcomings, it still holds the charm of a bygone era. The new level packages, while not quite as extensive as the original Breed or its special edition release, provide more than enough content to justify the $10 PSN price tag.

A worthy rebirth of the franchise as it possesses fast-paced chaotic action, which is diversified by the several weapons that make up Dante’s arsenal, an engaging soundtrack, and a story worthy of the DmC franchise.

While the buzz surrounding the game brought fear to a lot of the series’ veteran players over the past few months, I’m happy to report that the final product is a near-perfect balance of classic Dead Space and action-oriented gameplay.

What is insanity? Anyone who has yet to experience the thrill that Far Cry 3 has to provide.

Lord of the Rings was a supreme candidate for the Lego treatment, and Traveller's Tales has put together the perfect set of gameplay elements to complement the license they were working with.

Black Ops II presents interesting backdrops and fine shooter action. The game hits its stride when it presents features that move beyond your traditional shooter, whether that be shooting at helicopters from horseback or diving out the back of a crippled plane.

In more ways than one, this fifth installment (of the core console franchise) feels like the definitive Assassin's Creed experience.

Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth may be one of the most surprising Kinect titles of the year.

Not often do you see a game that is equally rewarding as it is frustrating; and it's not because the game is unfair.

The action and intensity of the real experience is definitely replicated in this title. While that's a good thing for die-hard workout nuts, Zumba Fitness Core lacks a certain ease of entry for people looking for an alternative to gym memberships or classes.

Codemasters once again proves their worth in the racing genre with undoubtedly the best of their F1 series to date.

Despite not being quite as expansive as the home consoles versions, this game certainly deserves the attention of Vita owners. If we compare this title to other handheld entries, we can see how ambitious Ubisoft was in trying to translate the full Assassin's Creed experience on a handheld.

In more ways than one, this fifth installment (of the core console franchise) feels like the definitive Assassin's Creed experience.

Bottom line, regardless of age, gender, or experience, this is a game that everyone will have fun with.

By combining realistic physics and incredible detail, CherryPop Games have designed a surefire hit as a first project. Pool Nation makes every other pool game obsolete.

While it doesn't exactly innovate, there's nothing that could really keep me from recommending this game.

If you're a die-hard fan, you likely had FIFA 13 in your sights the moment it was announced. If you've been away from the series for a few entries, there's no better time to jump back into FIFA.

When it all comes down to it, these are without a doubt the best versions of these two fighting classics to date. Improved visuals, online play, and other tiny but sweet details make Marvel Vs. Capcom Origins fulfilling as a package. However, the same amount of praise can't exactly be said about the games themselves.

Dishonored is a sublime, unforgettable experience that any gamer absolutely needs to try.

Despite the incredible amount of effort and manpower that went into making this game, it unfortunately falls short of being the definitive RE experience Capcom had set out to offer.

Young basketball players could definitely consider using this game as a training exercise.

Overall, it can be said that NHL 13 is the best iteration of the franchise to date, and probably the best sports game I have ever played.

By spicing up the mechanic that is used so often in games with more going for them, Hybrid proves its worth as a definite gaming gem, and is well deserving to be given a shot by gamers everywhere.

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron may just be the game you need to end your summer with a big, loud bang. Fans of big thrills will be impressed by the cinematic, action-packed campaign, Transformers fans will be happy to follow the engaging storyline, and multiplayer gamers can find a lot to enjoy in this latest installment. If you're looking for a great roller coaster ride of a game, FOC will provide just that.

For $15, I had an incredible time with Blitz, and I'm definitely going to be playing more of it as time goes on given the steady stream of DLC that Harmonix throws out every week.

Madden NFL 13's newest improvements create an impressive foundation for future entries. While the Infinity Engine adds great physics-based play on the field, it's plagued by some growing pains that will be undoubtedly be worked out down the line.

Darksiders II takes just about everything that was great in the first game and made it better, which is exactly what a proper sequel should do. Even switching to a new character could have spelled disaster, but instead Death casts his shadow to such a degree that you will be saying "War who?" before you even leave the Forge Lands.

Dirt: Showdown is a simple, yet fun game with just a few things missing. The change of pace with the encouraged car-colliding is certainly welcomed, and well executed.

If you played the classic versions like I did, chances are you will be disappointed with all the things that Robomodo left out. There was so much potential but not enough was delivered to live up to it. All in all, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD is still fun, but not worth its $15 price tag.

Resident Evil Chronicles HD is easily one of the best choices among the Move-enabled games available today.

Traveller's Tales took some risks with this entry in the series, and for the most part, they all pay off.

Babel Rising is a solid buy, through and through...as long as you're not expecting a solid Kinect experience.

Despite a lackluster story and sometimes oversimplified gameplay elements, the series' latest installment once again rises as one of the best experiences you can have in the genre.

Future Soldier finds the perfect balance between the classic tactical shooter experience and the more modern high-octane approach that today's gamers crave.

Probably helped with the strong cinematographic treatment, you really can feel what being in Max's shoes is all about, and wish that he can finally find the peace that has aluded him for so long.

I have to hand it to Telltale, even though I had my doubts, they pulled this off in fine fashion. They've taken what they do best and managed to fit it to a franchise that would seem to be better suited for a different genre altogether.

What Ronimo has accomplished here is impressive, mixing a MOBA with a 2D platformer and then smothering it with humor, and it shouldn't be overlooked.

If you didn't care for the first Trials, this isn't going to change your mind at all. However, if you fell in love with Trials HD back in the summer of 2009, get ready, because you are about to meet the new love of your life!

If you are a fighting fan, Skullgirls stands as a terrific homage to classic fighters, and should already be on your harddrive.

Overall, despite the flaws, I found Prototype 2 to be a blast to play through. The hugely satisfying gameplay makes up for most of its mistakes.

Mortal Kombat on the Vita is one of the most impressive games on the device thus far. There are hardly any flaws in the game, and the boatloads of content provided will give fans of the franchise plenty to do while they bide their time waiting for the next big Vita release.

Provided you fall into the target demographic, there's a lot to love about Kinect Rush. No matter if you are slapping on your superhero tights in The Incredibles, or racing a co-op buddy with Mater and crew in Cars, you can be sure to have some fun, and get one heck of a workout in the process.

Porting over to a console had no adverse affect - short of the lower res visuals - making this one of those 'must own' games for any console tower defense fan.

Kid Icarus: Uprising is without a doubt a must have title for the 3DS. The single player campaign is engaging and offers tons of character customization, and the multiplayer portion sports a very competitive arena. The amount of value here is incredible; this just isn't a game that can be played through once and put down. It's been a long time since Pit was the main character in a game, and we can easily say it was worth the wait.

The storytelling itself, the more refined combat, the voicework, the visuals, et all, stand as a fine example of some of the best this industry has to offer, and with my minor complaints aside, there's no doubt that Mass Effect 3 will be deservedly at the top of everyone's list come this year's award season.

If you love baseball, it's a no brainer. MLB 12: The Show offers the most realistic, authentic, and diverse baseball simulation experience to date.

What's great about FIFA Soccer on the Vita isn't just how it plays and looks now, but what EA should be capable of doing on the handheld in the future.

The single-player experience is deep enough to keep gamers coming back, and the online experience is as smooth as silk. Real teams, with real players, and a plethora of fancy tricks and player moves...once gamers get used to the controls and gameplay, FIFA Street turns out to be a rock-solid experience.

Though the 3DS version of Snake Eater is still a really good game, there just isn't enough different about it to make it stand out from the other versions currently available.

While not being the best fighting game on the market, it is certainly one of the most refreshing ones I have played in a long time.

At about $13 each, it isn't terribly hard to recommend Jak and Daxter Collection. Even though they don't do their fans any favors in terms of extras, the games themselves are just as wonderfully solid today as they were during their heyday.

When it was all said and done, one can safely assume that fans of the Street Fighter series will be pleased with this new installment. While Tekken inspirations are definitely a bit scarce, Street Fighter X Tekken still retains the best elements of both franchises.

With easy-to-use controls, a smooth user interface, beautiful open courses from the real world, a killer soundtrack, and a bustling and competitive community created through RiderNet, everything adds up to a load of fun.

If you take XIII-2 and grade it on its own merits, it stands out as a fantastic game. But, if you walk in looking for some semblance of what made the series a household name in the RPG world, you'll be sorely disappointed.

All of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3's beloved 3-on-3 tag-team action makes the transition to the Vita, and the game truly looks and plays just like its console brethren.

I really enjoyed Asura's Wrath, but the gameplay is somewhat of a great disappointment. We are supposed to be here to play a game, and the sections that we do get to play are lacklustre at best and don't add much to the experience, which is a shame.

While the Vita has had its fair share of console ports already in its short lifespan, none is as simple or fun to play as Rayman Origins.

Given its turbulent development, I expected it to come in dead on arrival. Instead, I found it to be a solid survival game that, above anything else, kept my palms sweaty and my muscles tense.

Even with a few flaws in the single player area, Syndicate offers a very worthwhile experience that deserves your attention.

A plethora of content, an expansive career covering the 4 Grand Slams, a great roster of players, and an incredibly precise new control scheme makes this game certainly deserving of Grand Slam in its title.

Lumines: Electronic Symphony is the perfect culmination of simple game design and stellar presentation. There's a great depth of challenge for those who wish to find it, but the game never shuts out more casual players with crushing difficulty.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss is not just a great launch game for the Vita, but it's arguably the best launch title for any handheld to date.

Shank 2 is a sequel worth looking at, especially for those of you who've already spent some quality time with the former hitman.

Gotham City Impostors is online multiplayer gaming in its purest form: straightforward, fun, easy to pick up, deep enough to satisfy the hardcore, boasts an active community, and it's very accessible.

If this is the kind of improvements to the series that we can expect out of Remedy, then you can count me as waiting on baited breath for the next episode.

What we have here is a classic case of (slightly) missed opportunity. With an original concept, impressive gameplay variety, pleasing visuals and music, came a few problems that can be just too much to handle.

Featuring simple, accessible and addictive gameplay, unique and charming visuals and a soundtrack that is simply to die for, the game impresses on many levels. However, as a game reviewer, the main question I have to answer still remains "is this game worth my time and money?" and unfortunately, it simply doesn't fit the requirements for the latter.

While some kinks still need to be ironed out, like the off-balanced narrative and some weak moments in the campaign, the game remains one of the best experiences you can find on the system, and rises as the most impressive technical achievement we've seen on Nintendo's 3D handheld so far.

While some of the changes are questionable and some might blame Namco for not taking the "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" approach, this remains a welcome new entry that will give another boost to the fighting genre.

The seven dollar entry fee nets you four tables that have plenty to offer portable Wizards-in-training. Most impressively was how many of the online features from its console brethren made the jump over.

With the extra development time given for Undisputed 3, it's strange to see just how similar it is to the prior entries in the series.

Not only does it faithfully bring back the experience, but it's as complete of a package as one could ask for.

Blitz is about thumbing your nose at reality and glorifying the exciting parts of football.

It's a shining example of not only how good the original release was, but how much passion Oddworld Inhabitants still has for it. Old and new players alike, this is one PSN game that shouldn't be missed.

In my opinion if you haven't yet tried out Bejeweled, buy Bejeweled 3. It's fun, has more modes and is excellent at keeping you playing.

It isn't often a developer puts in this much love when porting over an existing title from another service. But Hello Games did it, and the final result is the best version of Joe Danger to date.

There's enough in this collection to keep you busy for many sneaking, box-hiding, and bad guy eliminating hours.

It is very deep, with over 100 quests and activities, and that's not to mention all of the unlockables and surprises that can be found around the park. Disneyland Adventures is a game of discovery for kids (and the kids-at-heart).

I'm not sure where Nintendo wants to take the series next, but it's going to be awful tough to improve upon this. Beautiful, complex, heartfelt, and exciting all at once, this isn't just the kind of game that defines a franchise; it's the kind of game that defines a genre.

What better way to celebrate the ten year anniversary than to bring the original game back with a shiny new coat of paint and some other bells and whistles that, while some may scoff at, truly establishes 343's love for all-things Halo.

Skyrim is the largest, and most compelling work that I've had the opportunity to play this year. It's engaging, engrossing, and will take over your gaming life for many months to come. Not only is Skyrim among the best that 2011 has to offer, but for me, this is, without hesitation, the Game of the Year.

In design, graphics, gameplay, and sound, it wins best platformer of this generation, hands down.

A well-written story, a thrill-ride, summer tent-pole film presentation, and a much more fleshed out multiplayer experience all add up to one of the best games we've seen this year. Naughty Dog has once again given PlayStation 3 owners a reason to fire up their console.

If you are motivated to lose that holiday weight (or gaming-on-the-couch-for-20-hours-a-day-playing-Skyrim weight), then Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2012 is the right fit.

Story mode might not bring much to the table, and the lack of proper tutorials might make this game a little bit intimidating to some but with tight gameplay mechanics, a ton of content to keep you busy for a long time and a working online mode, this game easily obtains its "must-play" status for all fans of fighting games in general.

Rabbids: Alive & Kicking does exactly what it was intended to do, and that is to mix up a large batch of zany fun for you and your family to enjoy.

This is a great Bond game, probably the best since the GoldenEye 64.