An admirable success from Storm Eagle Studios. In comparison to their first game, Jutland is more appealing to its potential audience with a better setting, a more engaging campaign not to mention filled with more interesting and identifiable ships for the war gaming community. There are issues with Jutland to be sure. If she was a ship she'd be lacking a new coat of paint and some of her basic amenities might be missing, but her guns are all in place and she'd be ready for a fight -- and during war, that's the most important aspect.

It offers a strong finish to some great episodic gaming. Not Trogdor strong, but pretty close.

It offers a strong finish to some great episodic gaming. Not Trogdor strong, but pretty close.

I can't recommend this innovative experience highly enough, and from first time visitors to the Velvet Room to jaded MegaTen fanatics, Persona 4 is an absolute must buy.

It's amazing what a little touch up in graphics and sound can do for a tower defense gameplay-based title. And Hidden Path Entertainment's Defense Grid: The Awakening is a prime example of that sudden transformation of taking a unoriginal. well-known style of video game and turning it into a masterpiece for your PC.

Even with improved graphics and a large character roster, Dragon Ball Z: Infinite World ends the DBZ series on PS2 with a bust instead of a bang.

Regrettably, the game does too many things poorly to allow itself to rise above being forgettably average, and that's a shame considering its palpable potential.

A demanding port of an excellent game, GTA IV PC is only worth a look from gamers that missed Niko's venture to America the first time around.

All told, this is a great debut for the Prince of Persia series on the PS3 and Xbox 360. [Jan 2009, p.74]

All told, this is a great debut for the Prince of Persia series on the PS3 and Xbox 360. [Jan 2009, p.74]

Even though it's not a wholly fresh experience, Kingdom Hearts: Re:Chain of Memories is definitely worth a try, especially if you didn't play the original GBA release.

Say what you will about Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon's shoddy graphics, lame script and bad physics -- when you throw it in the trash, it at least lands inside of the can instead of embedding itself in the wall.

I can't think of a better way to spend your online dollars -- Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix is the best version of SFII yet, if not the best Street Fighter game in 15 years.

I can't think of a better way to spend your online dollars -- Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix is the best version of SFII yet, if not the best Street Fighter game in 15 years.

Regardless of whether you played it already or are new to the series, you owe it to yourself to check out this amazing title. [Dec 2008, p.97]

Overall, Neopets Puzzle Adventure is a good game for its target demographic -- children who will use the game's many unlockable codes to access various digital goodies on the Neopets website.

That being said, if you haven't yet played an Age of Empires title on the DS, Mythologies is without question the most competent turn-based strategy game available for the console, and if you're a fan of mythology, all the better.

It's really too bad that The Last Remnant is so uneven. For every one thing it does right, there is a glaring fault that ruins the fun.

I love Sonic because his speedy style of platforming is fun, and Sega should have just developed a game around that and left everything else out.

A lengthy career mode is Skate It's highlight, as it sees you building your skills through increasingly difficult challenges.

If you're looking for a laid back alternative to the typical XBLA fare, A Kingdom for Keflings is for you. It's a humorous, low-pressure/high reward strategy game that gives your brand new Xbox avatar something fun to do.

Ultimate Band DS won't suit anyone looking for a hardcore music experience, even on the DS.

While I want to give Konami credit for trying something new with the series, the obvious missteps and overlooked elements of Castlevania Judgment makes the game look and feel like a cheap cash-in.

Overall, Underworld is a decent enough effort. It has slick controls, interesting puzzles and a story that's actually pretty interesting. However, it never fully compensates for a lack of compelling action and overall polish.

Overall, Underworld is a decent enough effort. It has slick controls, interesting puzzles and a story that's actually pretty interesting. However, it never fully compensates for a lack of compelling action and overall polish.

The series' trademark quirky sense of humor is in full effect, but with monotonous gameplay hampered by unresponsive controls, TV Party never really stands out in a sea of mini-game compilations.

If nostalgia is your game, the original Tecmo Bowl on Virtual Console still remains unbeaten after all these years.

All in all, I can't recommend Left 4 Dead highly enough.

It's an easy game to pick up and I would recommend it to RTS lovers who game on the go. [Nov 2008, p.104]

It's clear that the Need For Speed series is in need of a GPS unit so it can get back on track.

It's clear that the Need For Speed series is in need of a GPS unit so it can get back on track.

If you've already paid your full subscription, get to downloading Dangeresque 3 right now and enjoy the best episode yet. If, for some strange reason, you are on the fence about committing to this series, this is the episode that will hook you.

If you've already paid your full subscription, get to downloading Dangeresque 3 right now and enjoy the best episode yet. If, for some strange reason, you are on the fence about committing to this series, this is the episode that will hook you.

MK vs. DC isn't the best Mortal Kombat game, not by a country mile, but for the first time in years this series feels relevant and energized.

MK vs. DC isn't the best Mortal Kombat game, not by a country mile, but for the first time in years this series feels relevant and energized.

All in all, Shaun White's Snowboarding didn't leave me blown away. I liked the terrain they provided, the impressive visuals and the push towards new ways to perform tricks. I hope this title continues on and that all of the little glitches and feedback from fans help create an epic snowboarding game worthy of Shaun White's name.

All in all, Shaun White's Snowboarding didn't leave me blown away. I liked the terrain they provided, the impressive visuals and the push towards new ways to perform tricks. I hope this title continues on and that all of the little glitches and feedback from fans help create an epic snowboarding game worthy of Shaun White's name.

Even without the board, though, I'd recommend Shaun White's Wii adventure over his less impressive 360 and PS3 treks. It's a tighter, more polished experience that puts the focus on fun over the other entries' ambitious, but not always rewarding free-roaming gameplay.

New arrivals will probably enjoy the multitude of activities in Animal Crossing: City Folk, but long-time residents won't find much to keep them from moving out.

While Decades isn't revolutionary by any means, it's still an absolute blast to play.

Though it has flaws, Sacred 2 has more than enough personality to make it a solid action RPG.

If the level design had focused more on open environments and giving you the freedom to run, and if the combat wasn't such a roadblock, this would have been a near-perfect game. But it's still a great first step and I can't wait to see how DICE improves upon the formula for the sequel.

If the level design had focused more on open environments and giving you the freedom to run, and if the combat wasn't such a roadblock, this would have been a near-perfect game. But it's still a great first step and I can't wait to see how DICE improves upon the formula for the sequel.

The RTS genre's notoriously slower pace and complex controls can be a bit snooze-inducing to newcomers, but Red Alert 3's smooth interface, fast-paced action, crazy-ass weapons, and endlessly entertaining cheesy style should keep even the most short attention-spanned gamer engaged.

The game's new vehicle-based emphasis will probably turn off some long-time fans, but I really enjoyed the game's premise. [Dec 2008, p.95]

The shallow fighting system, the teenage snark and animation won't impress older fans of the series, but it's good fun for younger Jedis in training.

The gothic-anime art direction and voice acting are impressively well-done, and although the painfully long load times hinder the general flow of the game-play, the overall game-play, soundtrack, voice acting, and art direction makes up for the technical deficiencies.

Developer Treyarch did a fantastic job of not reinventing the wheel with World at War. Rather, they took the best elements of Modern Warfare and expanded upon them. The end product is a thrilling experience that injects some of the visceral punch back into World War II.

Developer Treyarch did a fantastic job of not reinventing the wheel with World at War. Rather, they took the best elements of Modern Warfare and expanded upon them. The end product is a thrilling experience that injects some of the visceral punch back into World War II.

The single-player isn't as compelling as Modern Warfare but it's still worth playing nonetheless; the best part though is that there's a deep and satisfying multiplayer component waiting for you when you're done.

If you're going to pick up Shadows of Almia, just keep in mind that while it can be fun, there's nothing compelling or new enough to impress a hardcore Pokemanic.

Overall, SvR 2009 has plenty of good points that encouraged me to overlook its sore spots.

Granted, Gears 2 isn't the smartest shooter on the market, but for now, it is probably the must-own title of this holiday season for Xbox 360 gamers.

Yep, I'm gonna say it, "Lackluster port."

What saves this title is the nostalgia factor you get from playing it. While the love for this genre is the redeeming factor, it still doesn't give it enough oomph to justify downloading it.

With its slick voice-command system, depth of strategy and frenetic action, EndWar is one game I'll still be playing after its evaluation. [Dec 2008, p.96]

With its slick voice-command system, depth of strategy and frenetic action, EndWar is one game I'll still be playing after its evaluation. [Dec 2008, p.96]

Quantum of Solace is a good first-person shooter that, in my opinion, is the best Bond game since Goldeneye.

Quantum of Solace is a good first-person shooter that, in my opinion, is the best Bond game since Goldeneye.

Bigger, badder and better than the first, Resistance 2 improves upon the formula set by its predecessor in almost every way. Unfortunately, a handful of minor issues, such as less than stellar graphics, keep this game from reaching the high bar set by competing titles like "Call of Duty 4" and "Gears of War 2."

Simply put, Dragon Ball: Origins is the most interesting Dragon Ball adventure that Atari's put on the table since the first Budokai title.

An innovative and quirky experiment, Away: Shuffle Dungeon never quite rises above simple hack-and-slash mediocrity.

Red Alert 3 is by no means a bad addition to the Red Alert series, but compared to its forebears it lacks much of the panache the series held and may hold some disappointments for fans despite the addition of a good new faction and a fairly satisfying single-player experience.

Heck, it might just be the best console RPG of all time. It's deep, complex and tremendously addictive. From the amazing character development system to the engaging and satisfying combat, Fallout 3 has everything you could want in an RPG experience.

It's an instant classic and one that will occupy you for a long time to come. [Dec 2008, p.86]

Fans of the previous MotorStorm title or off-road racing in general will definitely enjoy this follow-up. But the easy learning curve and fast-paced action might be enough to keep gamers who don't normally play racing games entertained.

After the completion of each level, the game further reveals its plot through storyboard-style cinemas that are usually very entertaining and funny. In fact, this is probably the game's strongest suit: it's brimming with personality.

Fans of real life racing and previous incarnations of this title will be happy for sure, but the learning curve and lack of customization when it comes to upgrades may disappoint people who want more of an arcade feel.

There's really nothing I can say other than this: if you own a PS3 and you don't buy LittleBigPlanet, you are robbing yourself of one of the most unique gaming experiences ever designed.

If this is where the series is going, Neverland Card Battles is going to be a tough sell in the future. I'd really like to find something nice to say about it, but the game is so boring, cliche (there's that word again) and badly designed I'd be lying through my teeth.

The transition from the politics in episode 2 to the completely different slant of rock and roll in episode 3 never feels forced, out of place, or nonsensical. It just works because the writing is so damn good, and leads me to believe the creators of this series could cover any topic and still make a funny game.

The transition from the politics in episode 2 to the completely different slant of rock and roll in episode 3 never feels forced, out of place, or nonsensical. It just works because the writing is so damn good, and leads me to believe the creators of this series could cover any topic and still make a funny game.

The game presentation is first rate, with hypnotic music and fantastic visuals.

While never quite proving itself as the penultimate virtual rock experience, Guitar Hero: World Tour is a blast in its own right that definitely deserves a look from both veterans of the series and newcomers alike.

If you've never played Portal before all you need to know is that it's a must buy, plain and simple. Quit reading right now and download it.

What makes Fable II so thoroughly absorbing, despite a few notable shortcomings, is the heady illusion that every choice you make sends ripples through the world, its people, and your own simulated heart.

Take gorgeous graphics, intense action, and interesting gameplay concepts, marry it to the legendary Castlevania franchise and release it on the DS. [Nov 2008, p.100]

There's no doubt that Bioshock is one of the finest FPS games ever made and the PS3 port is stellar through and through. [Nov 2008, p.103]

Awesome action makes up for several shortcomings including a spastic camera and random technical glitches. Web of Shadows delivers the best combat system of any Spider-Man game to date and intense boss battles to go with it. An imperfect effort, but an entertaining one nonetheless.

Sure, Far Cry 2 is a bit hardcore, and it's blend of breakneck shooting sequences and more meandering exploration might not be for everyone. However, if you're craving a shooter with a bit more bite than the increasingly casual competition, and one with more substance than the familiar run-and-gun fare, then you'll be hard pressed to beat this content-rich offering.

All in all, Star Ovean: First Departure has aged very well, and remains a unique and innovative RPG full of life and personality. [Nov 2008, p.104]

With an equal amount of attention to detail across the board, Midnight Club: Los Angeles is a fun racer that won't bog you down with menu after menu of tuning specs and testing screens.

Wii Music is probably Nintendo's most well-meaning game ever.

Overall, Tetris Party is very impressive with all of its modes and things to do.

The saving grace in this title is the level design. A living breathing world has never looked so good.

Unfortunately, once you level up enough, you can get through the game simply by mashing the "attack" button, which doesn't say much about the game's complexity. [Nov 2008, p.103]

Age of Booty is an admirable attempt at making a fun RTS game on consoles. While its simplicity might be a turnoff for some, it is at least worth a look.

Add in tired and repetitive level designs, a lackluster story and the general absence of fun and you have a title that isn't worth playing. [Dec 2008, p.95]

Fans hoping for a worthwhile update to one of gaming's most revered hack-and-slash franchises will be sorely disappointed by this poorly designed and utterly mediocre title.

SOCOM isn't the genre-defining multiplayer experience it once was.

Saint's Row 2 deserves props for its phenomenal customization and inventive multiplayer modes-including drop in and out cooperative play-but it's derivative design lacks polish and panache. It's entertaining, but it's also outclassed by its competitors.

It's easily the best survival horror game since the masterful "Resident Evil 4" and it sets the bar high for graphics, sound, and scares in its respective genre. Dead Space is an artistic nightmare clearly designed for survival horror fans by a passionate and dedicated team of like-minded gamers. Just be sure to play it with the lights on.

It's easily the best survival horror game since the masterful "Resident Evil 4" and it sets the bar high for graphics, sound, and scares in its respective genre. Dead Space is an artistic nightmare clearly designed for survival horror fans by a passionate and dedicated team of like-minded gamers. Just be sure to play it with the lights on. [Dec 2008, p.90]

I will admit, though, that Blitz II is entertaining in short bursts and that some of its features are interesting, even if the A.I. and shallow gameplay experience leaves something to be desired.

While it's not terribly original or striking in any way, The Legend of Kage 2 is a fun game that comes at a price which makes recommendation pretty easy.

MLB Stickball is a cute and simple game but its a weak groundout, not the home run it aspires to be.

But despite its faults, the terrain deformation and unique online twist is distinctive enough that it's worth playing, even if won't exactly alter the foundations of gaming forever. [Nov 2008, p.90]