If you love the Time Crisis games, you'll likely love Time Crisis 4. If you were never a fan of the series or never really played one before, save your money. It's more of the same, and more hit-or-miss than ever.

New Blood is the best (and hardest) Trauma Center game yet. For those who consider themselves "real gamers" and are still bemoaning the lack of real games and difficulty on the Wii, this is the answer to your prayers.

Swashbucklers is a mix of "Pirates!" and "Way of the Samurai," but doesn't quite reach the level of either. It will be a great game for a small number of gamers, but for the rest it's a rental at best.

Godzilla: Unleashed seems like it could be a surprising hit for kids. There's no real reason to get this game with all the other awesome fighters out there, but it is easy for children.

There's some good strategy fun to be had here, but the good is offset by some problematic areas. Star Trek fans and old-school strategy fans will enjoy it the most.

Despite me finding a majority of the combat boring (and I admit, many will love it -- I'm just very impatient at times and really thought it stopped the game cold) there's no questioning that Uncharted is a fantastic game, and has topped Ratchet & Clank as my favorite on the PS3.

Is ProStreet a change from the NFS formula? Yes. Is it a welcome change? Not really. The removal of the NFS staples and little new additions make this a rather generic racer.

As cool as it can get, Crysis has some issues and bugs that should have been stamped out or fixed on the drawing board. At times you'll be amazed, and at other times you'll wonder, "How did this make it through?"

Kane & Lynch is entirely about story and style. The gameplay is years old, but Kane, Lynch, and their tale(s)? Fantastic. If you want a good story, pick this game up. If you only care about pretty things that blow up nicely, go with something else.

This is a great game. The pace may be unexpected, and repetition can be a slight issue, but the excellent gameplay, story, presentation, and immersion turn them into minor details.

Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is a good game for a DBZ title, but average if you ignore the property holding it up. For fans of DBZ this is a must-own; for normal gamers, this is likely onyl a rental.

Is ProStreet a change from the NFS formula? Yes. Is it a welcome change? Not really. The removal of the NFS staples and little new additions make this a rather generic racer.

While the graphics leave a bit to be desired, the heightened difficulty and insane boss battles make up for it. Just like any other Contra game, it'll take you a while to get through it the first time, but once you figure out the formula you'll be just fine.

It's very obvious Raven had nothing to do with this game, and longtime fans of the series will notice in the first 20 minutes this isn't close to what the first Soldier of Fortune was. Who knew that gratuitous violence could be made boring?

I've always loved the Fire Pro series, and this is the best yet. It's the best wrestling game of the year, and one of the best of all time. Ignore the poor graphics, and appreciate it for what it is.

Easily the best game on the Wii, and arguably the best Mario adventure to date.

Fantasy Wars is as cliche as the title suggests. It does nothing new, but it also does nothing wrong. It's a good, solid game for newcomers to the genre, but it won't please too many hardcore gamers.

Excellent writing and fun gameplay make the game very enoyable, but the short hours may prove to the icebreaker for some.

There isn't much more to say about Word Puzzle. It is your Sunday newspaper's word search with a little extra incentive and competitive play thrown, but the gameplay isn't as good.

For the serious strategist, you couldn't ask for more. The game interface detracts from the experiene, though. People who aren't into WW2 or slow play should pass on this one.

Despite its attractive veneer, SH:O is short, cumbersome, and fails to strongly engage the player. Dated, but not bad, "blah" describes it well.

The game tries to reach out to more gamers but fails completely. AI pathfinding is broken, gameplay aspects are barely implemented and performance is a stinker. Stay away from this game.

Forged Alliance is a perfect fit for SupCom fans, but new or eager RTS fans may find the game's difficulty a bit rough. Still, I highly recommend this and its standalone.

Gears of War on the PC is an excellent "port" by seasoned industry veterans and a testament to PC gaming. Everything transitioned smoothly, and there's no awful leftovers -- only delicious desserts.

It brings nothing new and seems like an after thought to cash in on the F.E.A.R. name before Project Origin.

Easy gameplay and cute piñatas equals some fun family entertainment. While the port is a bit shoddy, Viva Piñata for PC is an excellent game for all ages.

My take-home message is this: do NOT buy this game if you aren't a big fan of the show. There is absolutely nothing here for you. If you do enjoy the show, still do NOT buy it. Rent it for the few hours it takes to experience the game and watch the included episodes, then don't think about it ever again.

A serious contender for Game of the Year with it's exceptional single player experience and solid multiplayer backbone.

A serious contender for Game of the Year with it's exceptional single player experience and solid multiplayer backbone.

Call of Duty 4 offers an excellent gaming package with a thrilling campaign and addicting multiplayer action. It contains everything you would want in a FPS, and the game doesn't lack any polish, either.

Since it doesn't do much different, it remains a fairly hard-sell at 800 Microsoft Points. If you're a fan of dual joystick shooters, you've probably already purchased it.

TimeShift doesn't do a lot of innovative things, but it's still fun.

TimeShift doesn't do a lot of innovative things, but it's still fun.

If the most important aspect of a 3D fighting game is the depth and balanced nature of the gameplay, then Virtua Fighter 5 has no rival.

This game is perfect for a younger gamer -- especially if they enjoy the cartoon.

The two minor gameplay additions and the Etna Mode make this superior to the PS2 original. If you've never played Disgaea before because of difficulty finding it, you have no excuse now.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will have you addicted until Guitar Hero IV comes out, and I can guarantee that your money will not go to waste on this game.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will have you addicted until Guitar Hero IV comes out, and I can guarantee that your money will not go to waste on this game.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will have you addicted until Guitar Hero IV comes out, and I can guarantee that your money will not go to waste on this game.

Everything about Dementium: The Ward is polished and clean, in a very dirty sense. While you won't be jumping from your seat in fear, there's no other portable that will scare you as much. Hopefully a sequel is in the works.

The Eye of Judgment is a game made for a very specific crowd, and may bring in a few new gamers. Just don't go in expecting anything too revolutionary or complex.

It's not the most innovative puzzle game and it may not control that well, but there is something utterly irresistible about Exit that keeps you coming back for more.

A solid shooter marred by poor design. Excellent visuals and some fine FPS gameplay are to be had in Jericho, but I wouldn't pay full price for it.

A solid shooter marred by poor design. Good visuals and some fine FPS gameplay are to be had in Jericho, but I wouldn't pay full price for it,. If you can, get the 360 or PC version.

A solid shooter marred by poor design. Excellent visuals and some fine FPS gameplay are to be had in Jericho, but I wouldn't pay full price for it.

Conan's biggest strength lies in its ability to pull you into the mythos that is Conan. When you're playing it, you really feel like you're controlling an unstoppable bloodthirsty warrior who just wants power, riches and women. Awesome.

This game hits the mark in being a fun fighter. For once, the Wii controls weren't an after thought -- they actually help the game instead of hindering it. Good choice for anyone who wants a good fighter or fun game on the Wii.

Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation is a fun game to waste away an afternoon, but a hard sell for anyone who hasn't been a fan of the series beforehand. The combat is fun, but the rest needs some work.

It gives a brand-new feeling to exploration an puzzle-solving.

Advent is a solid entry in one of gaming's longest running franchises, but it doesn't do anything to bring the series to a new generation of gamers.

Trials and Tribulations is a great ending to the trilogy. The gameplay is no different and may have gotten easier, but it's easily the best plot yet in a Phoenix Game. The final case is the best case yet in the series.

In Tools of Destruction, Insomniac is back doing what they do best, and they do it better than ever. This is the best Ratchet & Clank adventure to date, and at this point the best game the PS3 has to offer.

The expansion offers good singleplayer levels and great looking visuals, but the gameplay may feel old if you've played AoE III before. I'd still recommend it for RTS fans; just don't expect a classic.

Hard to Be a God ix a very mixed bag. For fans of plot-heavy games, this can be a goldmine; for fans of hack n slashes with good gameplay, this can be hell.

E4 is really one of those XBLA-defining titles in that it represents a profoundly divergent experience but still has that pick up and play feel to it that people (want to?) associate with a Live title.

This game may or may not have been popular and revolutionary when it came out, but by today's standards it's just plain boring.

Prism is a refreshing puzzle game on the DS, and a nice break from the various block-based puzzlers we've been playing the last few years. Sadly, there's just something about it that doesn't make most people want to keep going.

It combines most aspects of the older titles and upgrades them into the world of high def. While the original "wow" factor is no longer there, it's still worth it.

Solid gameplay, which you'd expect at this point in the series' life, but it just doesn't bring enough new or innovative features to keep you interested, especially with a competitor as good as skate.

Solid gameplay, which you'd expect at this point in the series' life, but it just doesn't bring enough new or innovative features to keep you interested, especially with a competitor as good as skate.

While there's a lot of great ideas in NBA 08, SCEA San Diego apparently forgot to work on the basketball game itself.

The best deal in terms of bang-for-the-buck since "Mario All Stars."

Orange Box is the best deal in terms of bang-for-the-buck since Mario All Stars. Not only that, but every game in it is a winner. Three classic games and two great games for this low price? You're an idiot not to get it.

It really is just a simple amalgamation of two genres. It goes without saying that this amalgamation is going to spawn countless sequels and knock-offs, and hopefully then we will see what this new genre is truly capable of.

The action is fast-paced and furious, the game's presentation is hilarious and exciting and the gameplay is very easily approachable. Experiment with a few classes or stick with one, but do anything to get your hands on TF2. It'll be an online experience you won't forget.

I'm actually very fond of irreverent humor, when it's done right, but this, this is just awful.

The emotion, presentation, story and overall action-packed gameplay cements Episode 2 as an excellent addition in the Half-Life 2 series and PC gaming in general. While playing Episode 2, I never felt detached or alienated from the game.

From beginning to end, it's hard to find something not to like about Portal. Everything from the gameplay to the presentation are top-notch.

It’s a solid arcade racer that is fun to play. It feels shallow compared to other recent racers, but it's still appealing.

It’s a solid arcade racer that is fun to play. It feels shallow compared to other recent racers, but it's still appealing.

It's a novel experience for a fighter and should be a reason to try this game out. It isn't an hardcore fighter, but those who want a simple game will like it. The flawed AI is what keeps this game from really being great.

Many will love this game, and many will hate it. The real draw of this game is the story and the environments you play in. If you want a lot of intense action, look elsewhere. If you want an experience, look here.

Its depth may scare off some gamers while appealing to the hardcore soccer fan.

Its depth may scare off some gamers while appealing to the hardcore soccer fan.

Hardcore racing-sim fans will get the most out of this game. For the arcade-racing crowd or casual gamer, the tedious logistics of practice sessions and qualifying rounds may be too much to handle.

Tetris Splash is an obvious attempt at wrapping nickel and dime distribution with a safe and nostalgic piece of gaming history. Don't be fooled, this game is not worth 800 Microsoft Points.

An excellent team-based online FPS. There's always something to do while in the game so you're never really bored. Presentation, graphics and gameplay are all pluses.

With magnificent visuals, a ton of vehicles, and a beefy single and multiplayer experience, PGR4 is a great way to quench that speed demon thirst.

Friend or Foe is a generic game which is salvaged by the co-op play. For new or young gamers this is a great title, but for those who have been around the block, there's nothing to see here.

Friend or Foe is a generic game which is salvaged by the co-op play. For new or young gamers this is a great title, but for those who have been around the block, there's nothing to see here.

Friend or Foe is a generic game which is salvaged by the co-op play. For new or young gamers this is a great title, but for those who have been around the block, there's nothing to see here.

The new dunk contest and other modes are nice, but the core gameplay is what should be what catches your eye, and NBA 2K8 nails it.

The new dunk contest and other modes are nice, but the core gameplay is what should be what catches your eye, and NBA 2K8 nails it.

NBA Live 08 is in serious contention for Best Basketball Game this year. That just shows you how much improved 08 is after the disaster of 07. Who says EA doesn't listen?

NBA Live 08 is in serious contention for Best Basketball Game this year. That just shows you how much improved 08 is after the disaster of 07. Who says EA doesn't listen?

Halo 3 takes every positive aspect from the first two Halo games, perfects them, puts them in a shinier and better looking package, tosses in wonderful community-driven content for a console game, establishes some awesome environments, and does it so damn well it's impossible to not have fun while playing.

The unique gameplay is appealing, but the lack of depth and variety is disappointing.

Soul Nomad is a fun game, and one every NIS fan will enjoy. For others trying to find a unique SRPG with an emphasis placed on characters and interaction, look no further.

The controls feel fluid, and show people that you don't need to force gimmicks on us to make it feel real.

When compared to the Sims titles we're used to, MySims contains only a fraction of what made the franchise great. Then again, the Sims formula obviously hasn't been doing so hot on consoles... Maybe more emphasis on creating items and less emphasis on social micromanagement is just what the casual console gamers needed to join the multitude of Simians.

Don’t waste your money. Save it for the new games coming out and experience Namco’s classic games as they should be played; on an arcade cabinet.

If you're looking for monster RPG different than Pokemon this is your game. Just don't expect it to be as good as Pokemon, despite the cooler looking evolved monsters.

If you're looking for monster RPG different than Pokemon this is your game. Just don't expect it to be as good as Pokemon, despite the cooler looking evolved monsters.

Everything about this game ranges from meh to ugh; the gameplay, the visuals, the physics, the audio, and even the controls. If you're a diehard fan, then get it. Otherwise, please skip it.

Eternal Sonata is an RPG filled with charm and style, but lacking in content. Those uninitiated with the RPG genre will get a lot more out of this than regular RPG gamers, but even the most hardcore will love Chopin.

Heavenly Sword is a fantastic game, and the best game on the PS3. If you don't mind great games being short, pick it up. If you do mind, rent it. Either way, if you own a PS3 you need to play this game.

For hockey fans, NHL 08 is the best hockey offering this year. For non-hockey fans, it's a fun game, but not a must-buy sports title.

A solid turn-based strategy game a notch above similar titles due to the game's presentation and the difficulty. Doesn't hurt that the visuals are nice and the gameplay is approachable too.