Its group dungeon crawls are very good, but a total lack of features, slow pace, and low risk-to-reward ratio is not going to be everyone's cup of tea. Turbine did an excellent job of bringing the core tabletop experience to an MMO, but this focus costs dearly by making the game neither broad, nor deep.

It doesn't break any new ground, it just offers up a solid, fun, and still addicting package. If you're a long time fan, Warriors of Rock is a no brainer. If you're a newcomer, just be aware of what you're getting into.

Wolfenstein might not hold up to Call of Duty in terms of sales, but Activision’s other WWII shooter still has plenty of interesting ideas to please any fan. With powerful weapons at your disposal, supernatural powers with the help of The Veil, and plenty of eerie Nazi soldiers to kill, the fun never stops.

Let’s get this straight, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood is a solid RPG through and through, but it doesn’t really play like one.

While slowdown plagues the game throughout, the action never stops and Rios and Salem will continually battle amidst the crumbling cityscapes of Shanghai as they battle with their own morality and try to save helpless civilians along the way.

While it may be a bit later than PSP owners in 2005 expected, what we did end up with is a pretty good portable version of Gran Turismo that doesn’t have everything we’d expect out of a portable iteration of this series.

The campaign took us just over six hours to complete with a few more hours spent in the base and on challenge levels, which is plenty of quality content for the price.

While Ion Assault’s gameplay is interesting and fairly unique with some depth to how you can approach each level, but it’s the overall lack of modes or features that makes this worth its 800 points price ($10 in US dollars).

The game pales in comparison with most other games if you treat it as a new game, but as a standalone first entry, it’s honestly aged a whole lot better than the first entries to games like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Suikoden, and other RPG’s.

If they can find enough substance for the continuing chapters we’ll continue to advocate their creations. Valve and Ritual, follow Telltale’s lead.

A solid racing game. It might have a few rough edges and frustrating spots, but overall it's a fun game.

Don’t let the controls drive you away from this game, as there are more goodies to be had if you just spend some time with it.

When it comes down to it, the decision to buy or skip Bejeweled 2 comes down to your desire to play the game on your PS3 or if the many free versions of Bejeweled clones you may have at your disposal are enough for you.

The wealth of content available here, regardless of whether you're playing Single Mode or Battle Mode, makes it essential old-school playing for those who can appreciate it.

This shot definitely goes in, but not before taking a few lucky bounces on the rim.

The game’s multiplayer and online modes would make it the perfect game for a group of friends to gather and bash each other for a while. If you can overcome the difficulty level of the single player campaign, and think that the demolition derby and quirky stunt modes would be your cup of tea, do not hesitate to pick this title up.

While slowdown plagues the game throughout, the action never stops and Rios and Salem will continually battle amidst the crumbling cityscapes of Shanghai as they battle with their own morality and try to save helpless civilians along the way.

So although it may not be worth a purchase, it’s worth playing around with, if only for a while.

A lot of fun. It’s just that there’s not much here to keep the fun going unless you head online for the leagues or tournaments. While for the latest installments in an established series, it’s a bit of a disappointment. For the first installment of a promising, new series, it’s a pretty good start.

Much like Matt LeBlanc’s success on television cannot translate to the silver screen, so Viewtiful Joe seems better suited for a home console adventure, with bigger pictures and less demanding controls.

Mortal Kombat is an acquired taste and is looked down upon by most coin-op fighter enthusiasts because of its lack of strategy and its stiffness of control. UMK3 got rid of the stiffness, and the game truly is playable on the DS if you can get by the fact that the D-Pad is so small.

It may be best to just check out the demo for Midnight Carnival to see if you’re interested in plucking down any money on a LocoRoco game and then going from there since any of the three games offer a good time.

It mostly fails to deliver standout action sequences, but fans of the real-time strategy genre should find their place in this game.

Perhaps the most notable improvement this year is the AI's adaptation, finally, to the new NHL rules.

Overall, Raven Software did a very good job of sticking close to the movie plot while simultaneously delivering a rewarding experience.

In just three years, Vicarious Visions has taken a well adapted formula and created an enjoyable, polished and all-around better sequel. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 will give fans a reason to enjoy playing, and with the dynamic fusion powers, wide cast of characters, and the storyline based around the events of Civil War, there is surely something here to please anyone.

What may be one of the year’s sleeper surprises, though, is the way in which War Front: Turning Point picks and combines elements from all these franchises, presenting a final product that ultimately incites the senses.

It's filled with enough nuance, emotion, and charm to be an instance classic-and with better, more difficult puzzles, could have surpassed the original from every angle.

However, this is a solid entry for gamers that have yet to indulge in the Animal Crossing experience.

While Savage Moon doesn’t really provide as satisfying of an experience that PixelJunk Monsters offers, it does enough of a good job to be something that Monsters’ veterans should give a shot.

This shot definitely goes in, but not before taking a few lucky bounces on the rim.

For what its worth, Thrillville does a fine job of offering more amusement park managing fun while also adhering to the kid in everyone. It’s still a little too kiddy for its own good, but if you are a fan of the series you will no doubt have a great time.

For now, though, Frontlines is just another average shooter with a political slant.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance is certainly worth picking up. With an adequate campaign and more playable comic book characters than you can shake a stick at, plus bonus side missions for all of them, you’re definitely getting more than what you paid for.

Neversoft and RedOctane played it safe by changing little to nothing in the Guitar Hero franchise with Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.

Metal Slug Anthology does nearly everything right, however, those without GC controllers may not find a perfect control scheme.

Though there are a lot of negatives to be said about Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier, there is a weird hypnotic enjoyment to the battle system that made enduring the overly-complicated, fanservice-filled story a bit easier.

As a multiplayer game it shines, when ignoring the uneven playing field the weapons provide; but its offerings on the single-player front simply don’t do much for it. It’s short-lived and unsatisfying.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is an enjoyable game with plenty of action and mementos to keep fans happy for quite some time.

Given the high-standards the series has set in the PC strategy genre, it's a big shame that Total Warrior couldn't have done better for the name in the console action genre.

It is really hard to find anything to really gripe about in Banjo- Tooie except maybe how much it is TOO like Banjo- Kazooie.

So if you’re looking for a great party game this holiday season, and you happen to like movies, there isn’t anything better than Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action. Even by yourself, the game provides a lot of fun, but it gets even better when you play with others.

Certainly, Earth 2160 is a long game, but tedium does set in and it’s difficult to escape the feeling that you’ve played this sort of title before.

While the level designs deserve plenty of praise for creatively exhibiting the Nine Circles of Hell, Dante’s Inferno really has nothing else to offer itself other than its obvious comparison to God of War.

FIFA 07 represents the best soccer you can play on the Xbox 360, but falls short of the bar set by Konami and, ironically enough, EA itself.

It's got some fun gameplay elements and a cool setting, but it fails as a superb action game that a lot of people were definitely expecting it to be.

But as a cool little party game you pop in from time to time, you can’t beat the features, the fun, and the price.

Despite the admittedly addicting gameplay, Beautiful Katamari falls short on every other front. From sub-par graphics, mediocre sound, lack of story, and few stages supported by a lack of fresh new gameplay mechanics, the title fails to justify its $60 price tag.

The gameplay, while great, is not exciting by today’s standards and the graphics and sound, while fantastic fun, are not going to break any ground.

PAIN fans that found the Downtown level a bit lacking would definitely be doing themselves a favor by downloading this new level, though those that weren’t convinced by the original’s package will not find anything in the Amusement Park that merit the $16 purchase of both parts of PAIN.

Gravity Crash does a great job of recapturing the old style of gravity-based shooters and giving it a nice visual upgrade that even bests Geometry Wars with more elaborate level design.

It's worth spending some money to play, but with its incredibly limited content and potential for a much better sequel, there's no real reason to pay the full price for this game.

A good choice for gamers who want a pick up and play session of shooting without needing extended involvement, and a fine choice for fans of the series.

Overall there’s a whole lot to this game. Although, it might take some getting used to or a forgivable attitude towards the game because of the game’s lack of a lock-on feature, funky yet workable camera and frequent load times.

While I wish for more variety in the maps, overall chick chick BOOM is entertaining and rather addictive. For only 800 Wii points, it's hard not to recommend if you're having some friends over who are entertained by cartoon explosions.

Whatever your experience with the genre, you’re likely to be hooked on the addictive gameplay and dazzled by all the shiny HD sweetness.

Race Pro isn't a bad game by any means. It's strong where it needs to be; the actual driving part, but lacks any kind of personality. To put it another way, Race Pro is a diamond in a plain white paper bag, and it loses some of its appeal as a result.

Sure, the game is long, and there's a lot to do, but that doesn't mean it's actually an experience everybody can enjoy.

It's impossible to deny this title's appeal, with its excellent use of an excellent license, adept implementation of team combos, and picturesque scenery. If you're a hardcore gamer, you'll notice the flaws and lack of depth, but even then, Narnia is still likely to weave a spell on you.

Overall, Proving Ground is a disappointment.

Trash Panic is an oddly endearing game that may not be a game you will beat or master anytime soon, but the feeling that you’re on the grasp of beating any of these stages makes it a bit of an addictive game. The major reason to get this game is that it’s only $4.99, so it’s nicely priced for a puzzle game that just puts a good twist on what is essentially a block-dropping puzzle game.

After all is said and done, Legendia is not the best the makers of this game could have offered and had it had another few months to develop, it probably would have wound up to be a much better game.

The game is worth a rental and a purchase if you want to keep your destruction going. So if you’re looking for a fun game, check out Mercs 2.

On the whole, while a few elements of combat fall short, a decent story coupled with consistently delivered “Wow!” moments make Dark Sector enjoyable.

Get your arcade sticks out, kids, this one's for real.

Dementium: The Ward is a terrific experience. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

This is one of the best Mario Party games to come out in a while--but if Nintendo just took the liberty of making it online, this really could have been the best one yet.

The Club offers a great experience for all gamers who are looking for non-stop action while giving fans of old-school shooters something to talk about.

DBZ Burst Limit is a game that's very clearly made for its fans. A newcomer who picks this game up will have absolutely no idea what's going on in the story, other than seeing a lot of oddly dressed people yelling at the top of their lungs for no obviously apparent reason.

Consider picking it up if mystery games are your genre, as it is a decent sort of game for a sleuth, even if it does sometimes feel rather barren. For others, however, this game is probably not worth its admittedly modest price.

When it comes down to it, DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is certainly a good game that could probably use a fresh, new developer’s perspective on the series since this action fighter is starting to get a bit stale.

Wolfenstein might not hold up to Call of Duty in terms of sales, but Activision’s other WWII shooter still has plenty of interesting ideas to please any fan. With powerful weapons at your disposal, supernatural powers with the help of The Veil, and plenty of eerie Nazi soldiers to kill, the fun never stops.

Naruto: Clash of Ninja has very little to offer as a fighting game, but there's a decent amount of fun to be had for those who appreciate the license.

South Park Let’s Go Tower Defense Play is a pretty good tower defense game that has some flaws that keep it from being a great game, but anybody that has friends to play with should definitely check this out.

The game is worth a rental and a purchase if you want to keep your destruction going. So if you’re looking for a fun game, check out Mercs 2.

Action fans will revel in as much recycled intensity as they can squeeze out, and it’s for them that Arkane Studios built Dark Messiah.

It doesn't break any new ground, it just offers up a solid, fun, and still addicting package. If you're a long time fan, Warriors of Rock is a no brainer. If you're a newcomer, just be aware of what you're getting into.

For now, if you want great golf gameplay for your Wii, you should already have it for free in the form of Wii Sports.

It really is baffling that EA kept The Godfather as it is. What with all the repetition involved in finishing the game, you’d have thought someone would have piped in: “Uh, you know, it gets kinda boring repeating the same mechanics over and over”.

Secret Agent Clank is going to get a bad rap because the changes in gameplay, especially with the lack of it really being stealthy, simply will not be enough to satisfy hardcore Ratchet fans, even if it is supposed to be just a Clank standalone.

But a game 4 years late is a game 4 years old, and strategy-RPG players can find more intriguing fare available for the GBA.

If you’re looking for a game to replace "World of Warcraft" or "Everquest" for your long-term fix, Auto Assault won’t fill the abyss. However, if you’re looking for an action-packed MMO to last you a month or so, it’s a decent change of pace.

Army of Two didn’t exactly deliver as a cooperative experience much better than Gears of War, but it made up for that by being a solid shooter in its own right.

Tenkaichi is a genuine attempt at capturing the Dragon Ball essence, but in the end the complex, clunky gameplay and lack of previously offered features prevents the unlocking of any true potential.

The true Capcom hardcore might wonder about the omission of Saturday Night Slam Masters, unless a third package is on the way, but that's just one gripe against what is otherwise a very well structured collection.

On the whole, while a few elements of combat fall short, a decent story coupled with consistently delivered “Wow!” moments make Dark Sector enjoyable.

Roguelike fans will also like the depth they will find beyond the basics that will keep them busy throughout the campaign. Its $40 price point is well worth it for the amount of content you’ll find here. Basically, if you’re interested in roguelikes, this is one that you need to check out.

Wolfenstein might not hold up to Call of Duty in terms of sales, but Activision’s other WWII shooter still has plenty of interesting ideas to please any fan. With powerful weapons at your disposal, supernatural powers with the help of The Veil, and plenty of eerie Nazi soldiers to kill, the fun never stops.

But beyond the blurring of the lines and the unceasing debate, one thing is for certain; Electroplankton is unquestionably art.

Moon is a good start at something great, and while it’s not quite at the level of first-person console games, this game is worth your attention because it’s damn close.

DBZ Burst Limit is a game that's very clearly made for its fans. A newcomer who picks this game up will have absolutely no idea what's going on in the story, other than seeing a lot of oddly dressed people yelling at the top of their lungs for no obviously apparent reason.

It’s impossible to deny this title’s appeal, with its excellent use of an excellent license, adept implementation of team combos, and picturesque scenery. If you’re a hardcore gamer, you’ll notice the flaws and lack of depth, but even then, Narnia is still likely to weave a spell on you.

In most cases, Karaoke Revolution is only enjoyable when drunk. So if you’re drunk, you’ll have a great time with Karaoke Revolution Country. But if you’re sober, you better be a fan of country if you’re going to pick this one up.

While Legends of WrestleMania has plenty of fun matches to participate in and a worthy roster to choose from, the streamlined controls and all-together easier difficulty make recommending this to veteran fans a hard task.

A mediocre action-adventure with an excellent sense of style. If you love hip-hop and spray-paint, you should be playing this game, otherwise, this game is best left on the shelf.

In the end, what you are presented with is a very solid Simpsons title. Its humor, as stated, goes beyond just pleasing regular and hardcore Simpsons fans. So aside from the camera, the game is just find-diddly-ine to go on out and pick up.

WWE Smackdown vs. Raw could have been a great game and a step into making the best wrestling game to date. With so much potential that could have been used, the game just feels a bit too unbalanced at times.

So in the end, Call of Juarez isn’t a title worth much more than a rental.