The combined gameplay styles work well together to provide players with enough variation that the game doesn’t become too repetitive, save for the times you’ll die and have to replay lengthier portions of the game.

The words “cinematic experience” have been used to describe the game so often that they are probably cliché by now, but it’s something that simply must be said. I found myself saying “just one more chapter” for hours; I never wanted to stop playing, and I never wanted the game to end.

It may be a little too simple for most gamers, especially those old enough to remember the original, but it never stops being fun.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games isn’t going to surprise anyone with its gameplay, graphics, controls, or concept, but it’s a perfectly serviceable party game for the Wii.

Ju-On: The Grudge is the kind of game that should only be purchased as punishment – a modern day equivalent of putting coal in a child's stocking for Christmas.

Half-Minute Hero is, simply put, brilliant.

The enemy design is, simply put, wonderful, and so many different elements of Demon's Souls call out to me, demanding love and affection. Sadly, I cannot return its calls. It just goes so far out of its way to be difficult that it misses some key, important elements that would have made it a vastly better game.

Zombie Studios has done a fine job with the property, and has succeeded more than most thought possible with the series. Saw, as a tie-in to the series, is wonderful. As a survival horror game, however, it's a much smaller success. A success, mind you, but a small success, and one that doesn't rely on any knowledge of the Saw series to enjoy.

Saw, as a tie-in to the series, is wonderful. As a survival horror game, however, it's a much smaller success. A success, mind you, but a small success, and one that doesn't rely on any knowledge of the Saw series to enjoy.

EA Canada has taken huge steps to create one of the most impressive and enjoyable basketball titles in recent years, and if they’re able to continue and improve upon the core mechanics they’ve instituted this year, Live just might usurp NBA 2K’s throne in another year or two. It’s not quite there yet, though. Despite the vast improvements, it’s a bit rough around the edges.

It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed playing an NBA Live title as much as this one. EA Canada has taken huge steps to create one of the most impressive and enjoyable basketball titles in recent years, and if they’re able to continue and improve upon the core mechanics they’ve instituted this year, Live just might usurp NBA 2K’s throne in another year or two.

NBA 2K10 maintains its dominance of basketball video games once again, and the developers are clearly not resting on their laurels.

Another year, another solid effort from 2K Sports. NBA 2K10 maintains its dominance of basketball video games once again, and the developers are clearly not resting on their laurels.

It’s strange to think that a game with lackluster core game mechanics can make up for it with its variety of gameplay modes, most of which rely on those same core mechanics, but that’s exactly the case here.

Gran Turismo was most definitely not worth the wait. It’s a good looking game that plays well, but the lack of game modes, the poor car acquisition system, and the absence of more online features completely deflate the experience.

The developers took a huge chance by placing their game in a genre rife with games that did nothing but wash, rinse, repeat for years, but by creating an incredibly compelling narrative, coupled with some new strides in gameplay, Visceral Games set a new bar for the rail shooter. Not only did they prove that rail shooters could be more than generic shoot ‘em ups, they also showed that they were a developer to be reckoned with.

At times, it feels as though MySims Agents is like a film made for children that's filled with nods at parents to keep them awake for the entirety of the movie. It's also likely the best title in the series.

Despite its faults, Motorstorm: Arctic Edge might be the best iteration of the Motorstorm franchise, or at least the most fun.

Don't be turned away by the strange name, the platform, or the focus on Roxas: Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is the real deal, and one of the best action RPGs on the Nintendo DS.

It's a step in the right direction for the series and the point-and-click adventure, and a method of development that I'd like to see Telltale continue with the two remaining episodes. Best episode yet? I'm not too sure about that, but there's no doubt that each new story is more polished than the last, something that will hopefully continue throughout the year.

Whether you’ve played through the other two downloadable packs, or you’ve been waiting them out in favor of “Broken Steel,” this new addition is well worth the time and money. Hopefully there’s more to come, but even if there isn’t, at least Bethesda gave gamers a much more satisfying conclusion for their character.

Aion is a wonderful foundation to what can absolutely, positively become one of the best MMORPGs on the market.

Firefight mode, in particular, more than justifies the $60 price point, providing some of the best multi-player thrills of the generation. It might not win any Game of the Year awards, but Halo 3: ODST is a fine game in its own right, and the single-player campaign should hold over fans for Halo Reach releases at some point next year.

It may be unfair to compare the first game in a series to titles that came much later, but in a post-Persona 4 world such comparisons are inevitable. That being said, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona is a great game in its own right, and worthy of being in the collection of any RPG fan.

It simply isn't as fun as Super Smash Bros., and it's too similar to pull in anyone who isn't already a fan of Nintendo's fighting game. All in all, it should be reserved for only those who still sleep in Michelangelo pajamas and play with their the Ninja Turtle Pizza Shooter.

Experienced gamers will have no problem playing through the game without even the fear of death, but kids will have fun playing alone or with a family member, and parents or older siblings can jump in without being bored to tears. Upping the challenge factor and fixing some of the technical issues would have expanded the audience for this game even further, but it’s a nice step taken as far as video game tie-ins go.

There’s quite a bit to enjoy with WET if you’re able to look past the flaws in the gameplay. WET had a chance to set a new bar for third-person action games, but it never has all its components working together at once to make a perfect package.

WET had a chance to set a new bar for third-person action games, but it never has all its components working together at once to make a perfect package. Perhaps the best thing I can say about this game, other than the fact that I enjoyed it in spite of its shortcomings, is that I’m really looking forward to a sequel.