The premise and humor provide some enjoyment, but there's no getting over the glaring mechanical missteps featured in this mediocre beat-'em up game.

The block puzzles aren't always engaging, and sometimes the gameplay can prove to be a bit too difficult. But the distinctive story and top notch writing make Catherine an easy recommendation.

The block puzzles aren't always engaging, and sometimes the gameplay can prove to be a bit too difficult. But the distinctive story and top notch writing make Catherine an easy recommendation.

Metroidvania. Ikaruga. Shadow of the Colossus. All the influences are there, but don't mistake it for those. Outland is a game all its own. It doesn't oversell.

Metroidvania. Ikaruga. Shadow of the Colossus. All the influences are there, but don't mistake it for those. Outland is a game all its own. It doesn't oversell.

Captain America: Super Soldier is an enjoyable game, but a limited length and several shortcomings sting where it might have shone.

Captain America: Super Soldier is an enjoyable game, but a limited length and several shortcomings sting where it might have shone.

Captain America: Super Soldier is an enjoyable game, but a limited length and several shortcomings sting where it might have shone.

Earth Defense Force 2017 wasn't very good, but you couldn't help enjoying it. Insect Armageddon, on the other hand, just isn't good.

Earth Defense Force 2017 wasn't very good, but you couldn't help enjoying it. Insect Armageddon, on the other hand, just isn't good.

LIMBO keeps you sucked into its bleak, grim universe with unique puzzles, simple controls, and an approach to game design Playdead calls "trial and death" gaming for long enough to be effective, but certainly leaves some length to be desired.

The best kind of games got unity, got cohesion, and this game, well, it ain't got it. That don't mean it's not the best kind though. I wouldn't of known it to look at the runt, but hell, it is.

Kill Team is an undercooked twin stick shooter that looks nice but suffers serious technical and gameplay issues that are simply not acceptable for a game released in 2011.

DW: Gundam 3 is probably THE game for the ultimate Gundam fan, but its reliance on the admittedly played-out formula will continue to deter most.

This probably won't be the end of the Fear franchise, but if the developer does decide to keep it with a trilogy, they drove it home on a strong, if belabored, horrifying note.

This probably won't be the end of the Fear franchise, but if the developer does decide to keep it with a trilogy, they drove it home on a strong, if belabored, horrifying note.

This probably won't be the end of the Fear franchise, but if the developer does decide to keep it with a trilogy, they drove it home on a strong, if belabored, horrifying note.

Some refreshing of the game's major mechanics or pacing could have spliced this DLC to the next level, but unfortunately its repetitive nature holds it back. If you are a sucker for Rapture lore, then Minerva's Den may yet be worth the $10.

It's good to see that Duke Nukem Forever finally made it past the development finish line, but the race to get there clearly took its toll on Duke. He started limping toward the end goal around 2007, and he's looking and feeling pretty rough.

It's good to see that Duke Nukem Forever finally made it past the development finish line, but the race to get there clearly took its toll on Duke. He started limping toward the end goal around 2007, and he's looking and feeling pretty rough.

It's good to see that Duke Nukem Forever finally made it past the development finish line, but the race to get there clearly took its toll on Duke. He started limping toward the end goal around 2007, and he's looking and feeling pretty rough.

Child of Eden is a complicated, narcissistic, firecracker techno concerto. It's short and its simplicity packs a punch.

Shadows of the Damned is one of those games that needs to be experienced. The wacky version of Hell, the cool characters, and the totally insane action combines to create a game that is a blast from start to satisfying finish.

Shadows of the Damned is one of those games that needs to be experienced. The wacky version of Hell, the cool characters, and the totally insane action combines to create a game that is a blast from start to satisfying finish.

An action game in the Trojan horse of an RPG. There are better co-op experiences, but if you've already played those, Hunted will entertain for a little while.

An action game in the Trojan horse of an RPG. There are better co-op experiences, but if you've already played those, Hunted will entertain for a little while.

An action game in the Trojan horse of an RPG. There are better co-op experiences, but if you've already played those, Hunted will entertain for a little while.

Alice: Madness Returns should please fans of the original and newcomers alike. The game can feel a bit dated and tedious at times, but the incredibly dark Wonderland that American McGee has crafted is just begging to be explored.

Alice: Madness Returns should please fans of the original and newcomers alike. The game can feel a bit dated and tedious at times, but the incredibly dark Wonderland that American McGee has crafted is just begging to be explored.

Alice: Madness Returns should please fans of the original and newcomers alike. The game can feel a bit dated and tedious at times, but the incredibly dark Wonderland that American McGee has crafted is just begging to be explored.

Operation Flashpoint's efforts to deliver a tactical-based FPS experience are admirable. Unfortunately, the poor AI prevents the game from succeeding, leaving the cooperative multiplayer as its one saving grace.

Operation Flashpoint's efforts to deliver a tactical-based FPS experience are admirable. Unfortunately, the poor AI prevents the game from succeeding, leaving the cooperative multiplayer as its one saving grace.

Operation Flashpoint's efforts to deliver a tactical-based FPS experience are admirable. Unfortunately, the poor AI prevents the game from succeeding, leaving the cooperative multiplayer as its one saving grace.

If you love chaotic gameplay and uneven odds, Gatling Gears will provide; titanic bosses with mutliple health bars, waves of varied enemies and a serious arsenal to destroy them all.

In the end, Dirt 3 is a game with slick presentation, beautiful cars, stunning environments, and solid racing, but no depth. It's a game that does nothing wrong, but never wants to achieve anything greater.

In the end, Dirt 3 is a game with slick presentation, beautiful cars, stunning environments, and solid racing, but no depth. It's a game that does nothing wrong, but never wants to achieve anything greater.

Red Faction: Armageddon Halfway House - too many boarders with a bit of heart.

Red Faction: Armageddon Halfway House - too many boarders with a bit of heart.

It's tough but it's worth it. Grab some friends and kick back for serious old-school fun. If you're not into the genre, though, there's nothing here that will transform you.

I'd like to say that MX vs. ATV Alive is a game for motocross purists, but I feel even that is a stretch. It's just not a very good game, even at the budget price.

I'd like to say that MX vs. ATV Alive is a game for motocross purists, but I feel even that is a stretch. It's just not a very good game, even at the budget price.

Despite some technical hiccups and a slow story, L.A. Noire challenges the way you think about how great games can and perhaps should be made. It is undeniably interesting and shouldn't be passed up.

Despite some technical hiccups and a slow story, L.A. Noire challenges the way you think about how great games can and perhaps should be made. It is undeniably interesting and shouldn't be passed up.

Don't play Thor: God of Thunder. Please, for the love of the Norse gods.

Don't play Thor: God of Thunder. Please, for the love of the Norse gods.

There may be some disappointment at the lack of new content, but the inclusion of The After Years and the high-resolution visuals make Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection a great release for the PSP.

On the brink of greatness, Brink employs objective-based matches to churn out a dull, frustrating time.

On the brink of greatness, Brink employs objective-based matches to churn out a dull, frustrating time.

On the brink of greatness, Brink employs objective-based matches to churn out a dull, frustrating time.

Any way you slice it, three games of this caliber all bundled together on one disc are definitely worth the price of entry.

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean can be fun, so long as you don't get bored of doing the same things over and over again. The humor of the LEGO series remains, however, so there will be laughs along the way.

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean can be fun, so long as you don't get bored of doing the same things over and over again. The humor of the LEGO series remains, however, so there will be laughs along the way.

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean can be fun, so long as you don't get bored of doing the same things over and over again. The humor of the LEGO series remains, however, so there will be laughs along the way.

Mortal Kombat is BACK. Remember how you felt when you walked through the arcade and saw MK for the first time? That feeling will come shooting back as soon as you put the disc in. FIGHT!

Mortal Kombat is BACK. Remember how you felt when you walked through the arcade and saw MK for the first time? That feeling will come shooting back as soon as you put the disc in. FIGHT!

The levels are a spectacle, and give Apocalypse the adrenaline shot it needs to stay afloat, but it fails to rise above other, more innovative titles by relying too heavily on its boost mechanic and doing little else.

It's exciting to see a downloadable game with this much ambition, but if the kitchen sink approach can't do justice to the faucet and the bowl simultaneously, then omit both.

It's hard to overstate my satisfaction. Play Portal 2 as soon as you can.

It's hard to overstate my satisfaction. Play Portal 2 as soon as you can.

I have a feeling that I would love Shift 2 as I loved Gran Turismo 5 if it was a little more welcoming to series newbies. The high learning curve and stiff controls, however, are anything but welcoming, and it hurts the overall experience.

I have a feeling that I would love Shift 2 as I loved Gran Turismo 5 if it was a little more welcoming to series newbies. The high learning curve and stiff controls, however, are anything but welcoming, and it hurts the overall experience.

Red Faction: Battlegrounds isn't terrible, but it's hard to understand why this is a Red Faction game at all. What you're left with is a mediocre dual-stick shooter that is severely lacking in content and becomes repetitive quickly.

Red Faction: Battlegrounds isn't terrible, but it's hard to understand why this is a Red Faction game at all. What you're left with is a mediocre dual-stick shooter that is severely lacking in content and becomes repetitive quickly.

The MARS board is just as fun as the other boards available, which is the main problem. It doesn't nothing particularly exemplary or amazing. It's just more for Pinball FX2 lovers to snatch up. Newcomers should check out the MARVEL boards.

A fun if slightly dated entry into the PSP's already crowded SRPG collection, Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle will prove enjoyable for fans of the genre and frustrating to all others.

Fighting fans who picked up a 3DS would be foolish not to make Super Street Fighter IV 3D part of their collection. It's a very faithful representation of the franchise, available anywhere you want to play it. Don't miss it.

Die-hard fans might enjoy it, but everyone else should wait for a more complete iteration to go bananas over.

Crysis 2 does little to create new material in the genre, though it cobbles together disparate gameplay elements that do create a level of interest that another modern Middle East liberation sim can't.

Crysis 2 does little to create new material in the genre, though it cobbles together disparate gameplay elements that do create a level of interest that another modern Middle East liberation sim can't.

MLB 11: The Show does a solid job of delivering a satisfying portable experience for baseball fans. Unfortunately, the decision to omit online multiplayer, and a lack of progress from last year's entry hold it back from being an easy recommendation.

Baseball fans are obsessed with details and the development team behind MLB 11: The Show knows this. No complaint can be made about a lack of depth. Oh, and it's a lot of fun, too!

Dissidia 012 [duodecim] Final Fantasy does everything a sequel is supposed to do: build on the original system while adding features to keep things fresh. Solid gameplay, great aesthetics, and a improved story mode make this a very enjoyable game.

While not as deep or replayable as SmackDown! vs. RAW, it carves its own niche into the WWE videogame universe. Any wrestling fan will enjoy it.

While not as deep or replayable as SmackDown! vs. RAW, it carves its own niche into the WWE videogame universe. Any wrestling fan will enjoy it.

It's quick, painless and will leaving you wanting more. Perhaps it doesn't bear the weight other RPGs do, but it carries its own and smoothly enters players into its world. Overall, it may not challenge, but it does please.

It's quick, painless and will leaving you wanting more. Perhaps it doesn't bear the weight other RPGs do, but it carries its own and smoothly enters players into its world. Overall, it may not challenge, but it does please.

MotoGP 10/11 has a few problems such as touchy controls and a lack of multiplayer options, but the challenging races and deep career mode will leave motorcycle racing fans happy.

MotoGP 10/11 has a few problems such as touchy controls and a lack of multiplayer options, but the challenging races and deep career mode will leave motorcycle racing fans happy.

Ignoring the distraction of sophomoric dialogue and the game's less-than-enjoyable combat, there is value in this journey for the right sort of player, thanks to an interesting, well-paced plot and strong character development.

: It has some redeemable qualities, but it's too repetitive and boring to offer any kind of real action experience.

: It has some redeemable qualities, but it's too repetitive and boring to offer any kind of real action experience.

Pokemon Black/White does a terrific job of blending the old, tried-and-true gameplay systems of yesteryear with updated graphics, a mature story, and new features that bring Pokemon into 2011.

Pokemon Black/White does a terrific job of blending the old, tried-and-true gameplay systems of yesteryear with updated graphics, a mature story, and new features that bring Pokemon into 2011.

A solid little beat-em-up that is definitely worth having around on your iOS-powered mobile device. It has its share of niggling issues, but still offers good entertainment value, especially for nostalgic gaming veterans.

Homefront is a solid, if uneven, experience that features an excellent multiplayer mode, with a very average single-player campaign attached.

Homefront is a solid, if uneven, experience that features an excellent multiplayer mode, with a very average single-player campaign attached.

Homefront is a solid, if uneven, experience that features an excellent multiplayer mode, with a very average single-player campaign attached.

Knights Contract can be enjoyable at times, but once players get into the thick of play, the questionable AI, level design, combat mechanics, and even visuals will make it more difficult to feel comfortable with.

Knights Contract can be enjoyable at times, but once players get into the thick of play, the questionable AI, level design, combat mechanics, and even visuals will make it more difficult to feel comfortable with.

Severed places an ungainly weight on the shoulders of dismemberment combat for this extension of Dead Space: Extraction's fiction, creating a dichotomy as uncomfortable as traipsing backwards through already tired levels.

Severed places an ungainly weight on the shoulders of dismemberment combat for this extension of Dead Space: Extraction's fiction, creating a dichotomy as uncomfortable as traipsing backwards through already tired levels.

A solid dual-stick shooter, but it does have a few annoying flaws that keep it from being great. The plot is interesting, but poorly executed. Thankfully the lengthy solo campaign, co-op missions, and Survival Mode make it worth the price of entry.

A solid dual-stick shooter, but it does have a few annoying flaws that keep it from being great. The plot is interesting, but poorly executed. Thankfully the lengthy solo campaign, co-op missions, and Survival Mode make it worth the price of entry.

The best Dawn of War II expansion and an excellent value. For $30, you get a solid campaign, tons of multiplayer maps, and the so-much-fun-it-should-be-illegal Last Stand mode, all wrapped up in a beautiful package.

Despite an engaging leveling system and a wonderful soundtrack, the majority of the game feels too dated, cliche, and subpar to be enjoyable, overall.

There's no doubt that Bulletstorm delivers a solid ten hours of fresh, bloody fun, but any more time spent with Grayson and crew seems a confused antithesis of modern first-person shooters.

There's no doubt that Bulletstorm delivers a solid ten hours of fresh, bloody fun, but any more time spent with Grayson and crew seems a confused antithesis of modern first-person shooters.

De Blob 2 is a lot of fun to play, but its ease makes it a bit dull at times. It's too easy, but that also makes it a colorful, relaxing experience that you will likely want to see through to the end.