We got a fair amount of play out of Prism--at times it was tough to put down--but the fact is, you won't be able to stick with it for more than a short time.

To paraphrase its own introduction, Wakfu is an enigma wrapped in a blanket wrapped in a tortilla. But it very well could be the best-looking tortilla on XBLA. A fun game with lots to offer those with an open mind, Islands of Wakfu is worth a look for those with a sense of adventure.

I'd like to see new control options in an update, but otherwise this is a great platformer.

Everything is in place for this to be an amazing game, but one niggling issue brings the entire experience down: the controls.

Casual players and even tactical RPG fans may have a hard time getting used to Knights in the Nightmare, and I can guarantee that the effort to learn the battle system will be worth it in the long run. [July 2009, p.86]

You'll find your comrades oblivious to gunfire mere yards away; facing an enemy gunner, with their weapons conspicuously inert; and haplessly running into your line of fire. Getting penalized for losses incurred like this is annoying enough; having a mission terminate prematurely because of it is downright maddening.

The further you get from the starting levels, the more you'll have to deal with smudged content. The voice acting will mysteriously disappear, along with the quests, the single-player story, and the engaging instances.

Ultimately, Lost Souls will reward masochists and scare off anyone intimidated by the slightest bit of a learning curve. There's a great challenge in store, but it doesn't pull any punches or make any apologies. Know that going in and don't say you weren't warned.

BloodRayne: Betrayal is a lot like how I'd imagine being a vampire would be. Initially my newfound powers would be awesome and invigorating. Eventually though, immortality would inevitably lead to weariness. Thankfully, Rayne's six hour jaunt requires less commitment than a vampire's unholy contract, and while it may not be a life-changing event, its seductive pull is worth having a taste of.

Fusion: Genesis is an ambitious title that is well presented, but I can't help feeling XBLA is the wrong platform for it. The slow pace of gameplay is more suited to a PC title, and the interface, which is cumbersome and unclear to navigate with a controller, would work just fine with a mouse.

There’s nothing wrong with Mario Party 5 as it stands, but the next installment sure could use an overhaul to freshen the formula.

Still, BaBC is a solid brain-training title that packs a fascinating concept -- one that I hope Namco-Bandai will develop a bit more robustly in later iterations of the title.

The levels are still vast, the number of available goals is still overwhelming, and the multiplayer portion adds some replayability.

BloodRayne: Betrayal is a lot like how I'd imagine being a vampire would be. Initially my newfound powers would be awesome and invigorating. Eventually though, immortality would inevitably lead to weariness. Thankfully, Rayne's six hour jaunt requires less commitment than a vampire's unholy contract, and while it may not be a life-changing event, its seductive pull is worth having a taste of.

From the New World is filled with hilarious moments and memorable characters. Series fans will forgive the rough spots, even as newcomers mourn what might've been.

Aching to be more than it is, Hunter: The Reckoning is a pretty-looking, atmospheric action game that makes a decent weekend rental with pals.

Luckily, Family Table Tennis' low cost makes it easy to justify an impulse buy for those in quick and urgent need of a virtual ping pong tournament. Just make sure you bring at least one friend along, though, because the single-player modes will leave you bored in a hurry.

The almost total lack of interaction makes the title difficult to recommend to many audiences, but if you need to fill out your Pokédex and enjoy watching cute creatures fart on each other, My Pokémon Ranch might be worth a look.

It's disappointing really because Bully offers incredibly entertaining gameplay that's worthwhile, but the improvements that should have come with the jump to the more powerful Xbox 360 hardware just don't pan out.

Although Solomon's Boneyard does all the things that gamers have come to expect from an iDevice dual stick shooter, it never really sets itself apart from the wealth of similar App Store entries.

Although hardly original (it's "Jeremy McGrath" with a next-gen facelift), SX Superstar is a well-built arcade bike racer with pretty-enough graphics and the trademark dead-on Climax control.

If you don't enjoy a challenge just for the sake of doing it, though, Manhunt isn't going to appeal to you. [Aug 2004, p.66]

It's hard to ignore everything that's wrong with Suikoden IV--add them all together, and they result in an RPG that feels three years old out of the box.

It is a decent soccer game, but with its unbalanced gameplay, the field may be a bit greener somewhere else.

I did enjoy Severed -- in fact I'm thrilled that Visceral is actually creating single-player DLC, since so few companies ever bother to do so. So, is it worth playing? Sure. But can Visceral do better? Absolutely.

Ultimately, Namco Museum Essentials is a group of old games available for $10. Namco did a great job of assembling the package but not enough effort was put into updating these classics and making it a must buy.

Though flawed and not very much like previous Arc titles (Random battles! In an Arc game!), Twilight's fast-paced fighting and decent story save it from RPG oblivion. Don't worry—it does pick up after the beginning.

A fun, fast-paced RTS that boasts lots of nifty features and a few annoying flaws that keep it from beating up on its bigger PC cousins.

EA Canada did a worthwhile job in making this year's version of MVP stand out, even if it serves up a great deal of redone material. [Feb 2006, p.84]

While the game faithfully translates Akira Toriyama's DBZ world onto the DS, the game stumbles in a few areas. Across the entire character roster, basic attacks from fighter to fighter are basically all the same. Meanwhile, the AI alternates between two wildly different moods--really dumb, or really cheap.

Longevity aside, it's only a dollar, and if the concept of a sea-based mammal blasting robotic sharks with a laser cannon strapped to his back appeals to you in the least, I'd recommend taking the plunge.

Another surprising feature in Original Generations is the amount of customizability featured in this game. You'll be able to level up character attributes, learn new skills, customize your mechs, switch weapons out, and even assign pilots to specific mechs. There's so much to do that it can actually get rather confusing.

The exhilaration of getting the enemy in your sights and squeezing the trigger still hasn't worn out, even despite its similarities to "Forgotten Battles."

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.

I am left with the feeling that Hard Reset's title is not a reference to the game's plot or gameplay, but to the videogame industry as a whole. The developers are applying a "reset" to the entire FPS genre, stripping away or outright mocking several modern shooter staples.

Hamlet isn't my favorite point-and-click adventure ever, but it's quirky and certainly worth a look.

Bad voice decisions and an inexplicable step back in control tightness make Rayman 3 a disappointment, especially given the series’ usually extraordinary standards.

A diminutive price tag doesn't make the strange dearth of meaningful map and weapon selections any more palatable. Worth the cash for its frenetic pace if you've got friends lined up to play, but more disposable than memorable.

You can't expect to be great at Spirit the first time you pick it up, but it's definitely a unique and well-crafted game that's worth a look.

When all's said and done, MagnaCarta 2 isn't terribly unique, and you won't remember much about it a few months after you're done with it. But what lies at the game's core is an appealing, well-crafted charm I found very fun. MagnaCarta 2's twisting road doesn't tread much new ground, but it's still an engaging ride regardless.

Sticky controls sometimes mar play, and a temperamental camera makes for difficult combat. Sphinx showboats lush, densely populated environments, good texturing, and fantastic character animations.

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.

Space Pirates and Zombies still has a few minor bugs here and there, and its collection of throwback gameplay components isn't likely to appeal to everyone. For those looking to invest themselves into a fairly robust adventure on the cheap, however, SPAZ is a worthwhile investment old-school gamers may want to check out.

Despite all the caveats, fans of the better-known Contras should find the original arcade game an enjoyable curiosity, and it's also pretty cheap at only 400 Microsoft points.

Clumsy computer A.I. and awful multiplayer games nick this game to only a single-player and a nice rental adventure.

While N+ is a polished game, I am fine leaving N as a nice Internet distraction, even if the controls aren't quite as tight as when you play these handheld versions.

Your enemies look and sound like people, but the environments seem grainy and uninspired, and “atmospheric” music pipes through like an orchestra with a head cold.

SWAT’s action isn’t of the highest caliber. But with 21 levels, some cool concepts, and great multiplayer support, it’s a fine rental for most and an enjoyable mission for FPS fans.

The third episode of the adventure series based on the Back to the Future movies delivers an entertaining story, but not necessarily an entertaining game.

The controls are tight and the action is fast paced, even if the game's premise feels stale.

The game has plenty of content, but the lack of originality and tedious questing experience leaves much to be desired.

Beyond the fantastic gameplay on the battlefield, Grandia Xtreme doesn’t offer a complete RPG package.

The de-emphasis on micromanagement is welcome, but the feeling that the game is doing too much for you might kill it for intergalactic armchair generals.

Military strategists will certainly enjoy the close-up and personal tactics you must employ in the game. But for action shooters, Ten Hammers might be a bit too slow-paced--there's more running around than actual bullets-flying situations.

I have to admit FaceBreaker does have a lot of potential. But as hard as I tried to like the game, I just couldn't get into it that much. [Oct 2008, p.96]

The scroll-fighting action is pretty solid, the redone graphics and music are excellent, and the numerous unlockables and modes will keep you coming back -- but it all involves getting past that initial control barrier first.

In the end, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 is a solid golf game that should keep you interested for hours. [Nov. 2006, p.103]

As a multiplayer game, though, the fun doesn't last as long as it should. [July 2002, p.76]

It's easy enough to pick up and play immediately. It's fast paced enough to keep you engaged for several matches. And, if you happen to dig simple games you will probably have a good time with Hot Shots Tennis. But, don't expect this game to be a pillar in your collection of games and don't expect to remember you own it after a few weeks.

Fragile Dreams is touching at some moments and irritating at others, but taken as a whole, it's an adventure that's worthy of your time.

As long as the gameplay take a much-needed dose of Ritalin the next time around, I'm highly anticipant of a bigger, better sequel.

A predictable plot and linear gameplay are the minuses to this otherwise well-crafted dark RPG.

The real shame is that the interface designers didn't take more time tightening up the game flow since the last iteration. [May 2004, p.78]

The result of a single botched command or accidental mismanagement can mean death for you and your troops, making Earned in Blood a frustrating (but not unrewarding) experience.

All told, this is a game that meets expectations and does absolutely nothing to surpass them.

Although entertaining in an arcadey sort of way, the game doesn't exactly play like soccer.

Despite its setbacks, Kinetica is a decent racer that’s worth trying—it offers a phenomenal visual rush into new age racing.

An excellent 2D hack-n-slash title, but it really doesn't stand up to today's handheld gaming standards. If DW Advance was released 5 years earlier, it would have turned a lot of heads.

It loads frequently, the graphics are bland and first-generation, and the music smacks of elevator-itis. Plus, the game’s looping structure is cooler in theory than in reality.

The real meat of this Director's Cut, however, comes in the form of new content, although sadly, there are no new storylines or assassination targets.

Second Sight's visuals are more balanced than its gameplay.

Gangs of London can be quite fun in spite of its bland story mode, but I'm filing it under the rent before you buy category.

Bujingai ultimately falls short of the mark with a barely there story, doggy camerawork, and a surprisingly short completion time.

ChuChu Rocket! is a totally solid puzzle game, and it really does shine in multiplayer (especially if you can get four people gathered around an iPad for some same-device multiplayer). The game feels like it was always meant for a touch screen device, so I just hope that Sega can push out an update so everyone can enjoy this zany game for what it's meant to be.

With 194 availalable chips to acquire, three modes of play (including a Game Link versus mode), and nine classes of compeittion, Mega Man Battle Chip Challenge is deep in gameplay, and it's a game truly worthy of the Mega Man name. [Feb 2004, p.94]

The game's presentation is ugly, and there are some leaderboard issues to work out, but Squid Drop's varied level types and random missions keep the player on their toes.

While it's controls and visuals are definite scene-stealers, Trophylite is kept from greatness by an assortment of niggling flaws.

Although you’ll encounter heavy slowdown and flat textures, the graphics are pretty slick.

In Puzzle League, players are tasked to match three pieces of the same color to eliminate them before the screen fill up--simple and entertaining.

It just doesn't feel like the Transformers. There's no character to the characters, no real reason to transform except to find a better battleground during a boss fight. [June 2004, p.69]

Whether or not it's worth $15 to you depends on what kind of a FPS fan you are. If you demand a fulfilling, big budget experience and a butter smooth matchmaking experience, then you should probably stick to the big brand names. If, however, you're just looking for a little down and dirty online action and you don't mind waiting a little between rounds, then Blacklight: Tango Down just might be your huckleberry.

This isn’t a reinvention of Agetec’s half-arcade/half-hardcore mech battlin’ series, it’s just another step…and a rather small one at that.

She's a good old dog but hard pressed to learn new tricks.

For the gamer that likes to live double or triple lives, or for an original Animal Crossing fan, this is a game to pick up. However, for the gamer that demands fast-paced action, storyline, and an imperative need for an ending, this may not be the best game to play.

To be honest, you either like this type of game or you don't, but for what it is Zombie Crisis is a well-crafted ride at a reasonable price, so I'd recommend it.

Rune will satisfy your axe-swinging, lever-pulling, zombie beheading urges, just don't expect anything too deep.

Flight Control is a great game, and a perfect example of what makes casual gaming great. The version for WiiWare, however, is somewhat lacking. Everything the WiiWare version does, other versions do the same backwards and in heels. That doesn't make Flight Control on WiiWare bad at all; it's just not the definitive version of this addictive and awesome game.

It's creepy, mysterious, and spooky, and while it isn't perfect by any means, it's a horror experience well worth your time.

For something called The Book of Unwritten Tales, it treads awfully familiar ground; yet it does so with moxie and high production values. It's generally knowing and polished enough that it can be forgiven for not innovating a great deal. The Book of Unwritten Tales feels like a great cover of what's come before, even if it can't quite capture its forebear's magic.

Like the PlayStation version, the game requires a specific tempo to your button presses, and it's very difficult to gauge correctly.

Less polished in the play department and less coherent as a whole, Rayman 3 will likely disappoint the starving cult of "Rayman 2" fans.

If you've ever been into castle defense games, this is an interesting approach to the genre that you'll very likely have some fun with (while it lasts, that is).

Takes as many steps back as it does forward, and ends up teetering precariously over the brink of being a disappointment.

Episode 3 does a marvelous job of deftly folding its story into the next episode, but struggles to sustain the cinematic quality of its adventure gaming outside the Marty/Doc Brown duo. In the context of the series, it works beautifully, but by itself, less so.

The biggest problem with Sonic Battle is the poor game design in Story mode. Earning Skill Points, and thereby new abilities for Emerl the Robot, is a grueling ordeal.

Despite the intended scope of the game, Haven’s sights and sounds are barely average.

It's not going to blow you away but it is fun enough to keep you engaged for a few hours. [Mar 2008, p.88]

Packed with a bevy of features, TimeSplitters Future Perfect is a cornucopia of candy-coated goodness for any FPS fan. If you start now, you just might be able to unlock everything by the time "Halo 3" ships to stores.