The high moments are certainly high, and while it doesn’t have too many “lows” to speak of, the conclusion certainly fails to inspire any sense of satisfaction, making the previous hours of character development, storytelling, and foreshadowing feel weaker.

While I do enjoy the game's score quite a bit, it doesn't pack the emotional punch that Ennio Morricone's once did.

It’s not quite perfect, and at times it can be repetitive, but the developers do so much right here, it’s easy to forgive the miscues. There is simply no excuse to miss out on a game this good.

The six distinctly different modes, along with six main characters, add plenty of variety to Trauma Team while keeping it constantly feeling fresh.

The racing is simple, yet intense. The graphics are top notch. The game's unique power play feature keeps every race fresh, and the thrill of blowing up other cars never gets old.

The racing is simple, yet intense.

After Prince of Persia got a fresh start in 2008, The Forgotten Sands feels like a giant step backwards for the series.

Attack of the Movies 3-D is one of the worst games I’ve played in a long time.

Despite the technical problems, though, I found myself enjoying The Tomb of Sammun-Mak from start to finish.

New additions like the park editor, item dropper (which lets players add any of hundreds of ramps, rails, etc. to the environment with the press of a button), skate teams, trick analyzer, and a beefed up Hall of Meat mode flesh out the skating experience, while the new difficulty settings allow almost anyone with thumbs to enjoy the sublime satisfaction that comes from nailing a 540 Double Heelflip over a 15-stair gap.

It's faithful to its source material, sometimes to a fault, but it also adds enough depth and playablity to make it a worthwhile title in its own right.

Despite the combat being flawed, and the "story" failing to live up to its potential, it's still remarkably fun to play.

Were this a non-licensed product, it would be a below-average action title with little to recommend. The fact that it stars a popular super hero definitely helps, as does the passable plot and enjoyable script, making Iron Man 2 a title that’s just barely worth playing.

Luckily, while the updates haven't exactly made it more "user friendly," they've cleaned things up just enough to make it a slightly easier to get into.

There's not a single moment worth experiencing. It's a dull, monotonous title that needn't be played by anyone, especially with all of the quality already available on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

While there are some glitches from time to time, there's nothing about it that stands out as being broken or unplayable. That said, there's not a single moment worth experiencing.

If you weren’t a fan of the original IV, there’s really nothing here to sway you, but for fans of tight, accessible fighting action with a great deal of depth, it’s an excellent bargain, and a game that many are sure to be playing five years from now.

Recommending a game that doesn’t give gamers nearly as many options as a virtually identical game that came out less than eight months ago is tough, but people who missed out on EA’s yearly title, or those of you who only dabble in soccer titles every few years, will find plenty of charm and great gameplay in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Some little issues, like players getting hurt during training, which you have no control over, and slight frame drops during the occasional replay, crop up from time to time, but don’t really ruin the overall experience.

No matter how much variety is in each level, or how shiny the graphics are, the simplicity of the gameplay can become a bit redundant after about half an hour or so.

There are plenty of games on the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network that feel like quick ports. Double Impact goes far beyond that, and features an awesome amount of content for only $10.

The best thing Beat Hazard has going for it is the price. At $9.99 it's easy to recommend the title to anyone with the means to play it, as it provides a new way to experience music.

Not that the other games in the series were slouches when it came to their style, but the new season blows them all out of the water, with enhanced graphics and gameplay improvements that move the series in a wonderful direction.

Not that the other games in the series were slouches when it came to their style, but the new season blows them all out of the water, with enhanced graphics and gameplay improvements that move the series in a wonderful direction.

Features an awesome amount of content for only $10.

Many will enjoy it for what it is, and others will hate what Ubisoft did to their stealth series. There's no doubt about it: Conviction is a massive divergence from the normal formula. Stealth takes a back seat, and the trial-and-error gameplay has been replaced with something much more akin to the recent Batman: Arkham Asylum.

No matter the reasoning, "Stolen Memory" is something every Mass Effect junkie should own, if not just to justify popping the disk in again.

No matter the reasoning, "Stolen Memory" is something every Mass Effect junkie should own, if not just to justify popping the disk in again.

The combat's hectic nature has a certain rhythm to it that's easy to appreciate, and the style, while simplistic, is worth commending.

For the price, it can't be beat, and is likely one of the best games available for DSiWare.

All in all, WarioWare D.I.Y. is a worthy investment for anyone even remotely interested in the promise of level creation. For fans of more traditional WarioWare gameplay, there's... well... there's no such thing.

It's a sandbox, filled with exciting possibilities, and might feel more "next-gen" than anything else out there.

It doesn't have better shooting than Far Cry 2, better destruction than Red Faction, a better story than Grand Theft Auto, or better graphics than inFamous. What it does have, however, is fun, and what Just Cause 2 does, it does well.

Just Cause 2 doesn't have better shooting than Far Cry 2, better destruction than Red Faction, a better story than Grand Theft Auto, or better graphics than inFamous. What it does have, however, is fun, and what Just Cause 2 does, it does well.

Red Steel 2 isn't just the game everyone wished Red Steel was, it's better than that. It single handedly proves the Wii MotionPlus's value for adventure games, while providing one of the best action experiences on the system. That said, it's almost a tech demo for the hardware, lacking in terms of story and gameplay variety.

Strange Journey is easily one of the best RPGs to come out this year, which should come as no surprise to the SMT faithful.

There's very little to like in this package. With a backbone as strong as How to Train Your Dragon, there shouldn't have been much of a problem creating a fun game for children with the license.

Flaws in the presentation keep it from being eye candy, and there are issues with the gameplay and controls that prevent the game from being anything special. Instead, it's an average package, and there's little to draw in old or new fans who aren't willing to spend a good deal of time learning how to ride a bike again.

It's an average package, and there's little to draw in old or new fans who aren't willing to spend a good deal of time learning how to ride a bike again.

One of the least entertaining real-time strategy games in the past ten years.

Metro 2033 has a lot going for it. The game may not tread any new ground in its narrative, but there are a lot of interesting concepts to play around with. Unfortunately, the mechanics behind those concepts often lead to more frustration than they do elation. A strong story and world will only go so far.

Kratos is given a wonderfully epic farewell that would truly be a shame to miss, and every aspect of the game, from the controls, to the combat, to the presentation, is as close to perfect as perfect can be. Even if you've never played a single game in this series before, God of War III is a game you must play if you have the opportunity. You owe it to yourself, and the team at Santa Monica Studios, to play this game.

Nothing is strikingly different, and nothing is really any better. It's just more, and for some, that's more than enough. It's an expansion in the truest sense of the word, literally expanding on the experience of the first game without stepping on any toes and cheapening what the first accomplished.

Despite a few frustrations, this is easily one of the most addictive role-playing games on the DS, and catching, battling, raising, and breeding Pokémon could keep you occupied for months. There has never been a better time to catch them all.

Despite a few frustrations, this is easily one of the most addictive role-playing games on the DS, and catching, battling, raising, and breeding Pokémon could keep you occupied for months. There has never been a better time to catch them all.

This tenth entry in the core series stands toe-to-toe with its predecessors in terms of gameplay and charm, and provides more content than pretty much any of them.

A fantastic expansion to an already wonderful game. It shares all of the things that made the original great, and while it doesn't work towards fixing the problems in the formula, it isn't really that big of an issue.

A unique, refreshing, and strategic battle system unlike any other; it just takes too long to gain total control.

It may take a little more patience than other games in the sandbox and beat ‘em up genres, but you’re rewarded with one of the most interesting stories, characters, and fun to use combat in gaming today.

All in all, it feels like the beginning of what might be a fantastic franchise.

With a short campaign and a few new characters for Mercenaries mode, there's really no reason fans of RE5 should skip this over. While it might not pack much more content than Lost in Nightmares, Resident Evil 5: Desperate Escape represents some of the best action in the series, giving a good excuse to pop the disk back in for another trip to Kijuju, even if it's only for an hour or two.

The story might not be as impressive as some hoped, failing to match the humor of the prequel, but the multiplayer goes above and beyond the call of duty, providing the best competitive gameplay in recent memory.

There’s little doubt that DICE has secured its game a spot as the best shooter of the first half 2010, hurdling the impressive MAG by a few dozen yards.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 isn't good. It's so good. There’s little doubt that DICE has secured its game a spot as the best shooter of the first half 2010, hurdling the impressive MAG by a few dozen yards.

I truly feel bad for all the non-PS3 owners who are also baseball fans who have no choice but to play this game if they want to play video game baseball.

This is the absolute pinnacle of baseball video gaming, and I dare someone to do better.

Quantic Dream puts forth some truly incredible ideas and concepts as to what a game can be, but they’ll stay ideas and concepts until gamers are willing to accept that they deserve more than another GTA or Call of Duty clone. Heavy Rain is without a doubt one of the most impressive games of the last five years, and it shouldn’t be missed by anyone.

There's about as little to legitimately rave about as there is to complain about. Metal Slug XX is a formulaic romp that should remind people who have ever played any other game in the series of every other Metal Slug game they've ever played. No risks were taken, no innovative ideas were uttered, and no minds were blown,. That said, it's still a fun time.

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing may have been Sega’s answer to Mario Kart’s dominance of the kart racing genre, but it’s not a contender quite yet.

In this third pack of downloadable content, Gearbox more than makes up for the missteps of Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot, emptying out Pandora's pockets onto the Vault Hunters in a big way.

It's not bad, per se, there just isn't enough of it.

There’s honestly very little to complain about with The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom. It’s challenging, but never frustrating, and offers some of the most satisfying and addictive puzzle gameplay in recent memory.

It's not bad, per say, there just isn't enough of it. The inclusion of new characters for Mercenaries mode is good, but hardly worth picking up the pack for, unless, again, you happen to be a complete loyalist to the series.

While there is a lot to like in Aliens vs. Predators, it's far from a great game. There's usually something to complain about at every turn, and every great element is flawed in some small way. Despite these faults, mistakes, and missteps, it's still an utterly enjoyable and unique experience, making the game more than the sum of its parts.

While there is a lot to like in Aliens vs. Predators, it's far from a great game. There's usually something to complain about at every turn, and every great element is flawed in some small way. Despite these faults, mistakes, and missteps, it's still an utterly enjoyable and unique experience, making the game more than the sum of its parts.

Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth takes an interesting step away from the courtroom, giving the prosecutor the spotlight that he so richly deserves and crafting a plot fitting for the franchise. Unfortunately, some issues hold it back from greatness, but despite the slow pacing and minor issues, fans will keep coming back until every case has been solved.

Introversion put a massive amount of heart into the Xbox Live port of their beloved RTS, and it shows.

BioShock 2 may not be BioShock, but it doesn’t have to be. The world of Rapture is one I could revisit again and again, as long as there is some new wrinkle to the story to uncover.

BioShock 2 had a huge mountain of unrealistic expectations to overcome the moment it was announced. Even though it's not quite as excellent as the first game was, BioShock 2 is one of the most enjoyable games I've played in a long time.

If you can look past the fact that Dante’s Inferno is a very loose adaptation of the classic poem, the game offers eight to ten hours of fun occasionally interrupted by unnecessary annoyances.

If you can look past the fact that Dante’s Inferno is a very loose adaptation of the classic poem, the game offers eight to ten hours of fun occasionally interrupted by unnecessary annoyances. Though it’s an entertaining game, it doesn’t do anything original, and feels like it never quite reaches its full potential.

Fret Nice isn’t a bad game by any means, and it’s actually pretty entertaining in small doses. The unique presentation and pleasant soundtrack enhance the experience, even though the gameplay itself doesn’t do much to distinguish itself.

In making White Knight Chronicles, Level-5 created a vast, sprawling world, and then failed to fill it with anything original.

If you're a fan of The Sims 3, High-End Loft Stuff is a no-brainer. It adds enough new items to build and decorate homes with a completely distinctive style, and brings back a few objects that were missing.

The presentation is better, there are options enough to allow basic customization of your chosen game and the 'undo' feature alone puts this game ahead of Touch Solitaire.

Mass Effect 2 is easily one of the best games of the generation, blowing away its predecessor in just about every way, and removing the "flawed" attachment to the "masterpiece" title.

Mass Effect 2 is easily one of the best games of the generation, blowing away its predecessor in just about every way, and removing the "flawed" attachment to the "masterpiece" title.

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle doesn't quite reach the same standard the first game did, but it's still a lot of fun to play. It's not without its problems, and the head-scratching, but in a bad way, ending may burn some fans hoping for answers to the series' questions. That said, games like this don't come around too often, and I had a great time playing it.

Whether you’re a casual button masher who wants to kill a weekend on the couch with a buddy, or a hardcore twitch-warrior looking to spend the next year and a half digging into the guts of a fighter, Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom doesn’t disappoint.

There's nothing remarkable about the product, and there are a number of minor issues that prove frustrating to deal with, but the game is, without a doubt, a success.

All of the pieces are there for a successful game, and while there are flaws in the controls and visuals, none of the problems are really all that troubling. It's just that... the game isn't very fun, and the fault is based on the levels themselves, not the mechanics of play.

The only area where SEGA succeeded was in realizing that the game had to blend together the different elements, not keep them apart. Where Airtight failed was not realizing that very fact. In the end, it's worth playing Dark Void, though expectations should be kept very low, and it's not worth picking up at full price by any means.

It has some issues that at this point in a generation are pretty much unforgivable, but if you are willing to look past them, you’ll find there’s a decent cooperative shooter there.

It has some issues that at this point in a generation are pretty much unforgivable, but if you are willing to look past them, you’ll find there’s a decent cooperative shooter there.

Only mildly entertaining, and even with up to four players being able to compete both online and off, the fun factor is very limited. Even more limited are the repetitive events, and you’ll probably have played all of them in under an hour.

Mad Moxxi isn't worth the money. It's little more than an additional mode, and it really isn't as fun as the ones found in other games.

Darksiders starts 2010 off on the right foot, and sets the bar for the rest of the year in gaming.

Though it’s not without its issues, and the elements inspired by classic adventure titles don’t always hit their mark, there’s actually quite a bit to like about the game. From the solid story and non-stop action, to the impressive character and level design, the combined aspects present an impressive package.

An undeniably enjoyable game that mixes lighting-fast action and deeply satisfying combat with outrageous character design, inspired storytelling, and exceptional visual presentation.

Hopefully they've learned their lesson, and will make sure that future installments don't feel as fundamentally weak, and outstandingly pointless. Sorry, Moxxi, looks like you'll need to look elsewhere for a new hubby.

The combat is great... in theory, it just struggles due to a poor camera and uninteresting battles.

Even for absolute die-hard fans, I simply can’t recommend this game. The track listing is lacking, the gameplay is outdated (by its own predecessor), and the fun factor for this game just isn’t there.

Even for absolute die-hard fans, I simply can’t recommend this game.

When it comes down to it, there's no denying that Shooter is over too soon. Far too soon. Even for completionists, there's likely less than five hours' worth of play in the singleplayer, with the only real replayability in the local co-op. If there was online multiplayer this wouldn't be an issue, but it is. Not a huge issue, not a deal breaking issue, not something worth complaining about too much, but an issue.

The Saboteur could have been one of the year’s most impressive games. Sadly, Pandemic tries to do too much, and players are left with a game that never becomes more than the sum of its parts.

The Saboteur could have been one of the year’s most impressive games. Sadly, Pandemic tries to do too much, and players are left with a game that never becomes more than the sum of its parts.

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is without a doubt one of the year’s finest games, and is another example of a well made third-party game for the Wii.

While not my favorite in the season, is wonderful in its own right, and does not, by any means, disappoint. It's a hilarious, outrageous conclusion, and one that any fan of the series will appreciate completely.