A flavorless mash where not even the explosions are cool.

Yes, the game is fan service, and plays to an audience that can't get enough of Etna, Flonne and Prinny, but it's also a decent game that succeeds in offering something new.

Twitch-based gamers who do have the latest and greatest graphics cards won't have the patience for the punishing puzzles, and those who play games for story will find themselves rolling their eyes until they fall out of their sockets at the clichés and the horrible dialog.

If you dig the F.E.A.R. universe and haven't quite gotten your fill of its particular style of clone-killing, office-trashing gameplay, then by all means, give it a go, just bear in mind that you're not likely to enjoy it as much as the original. But if you didn't particularly enjoy F.E.A.R., or are just looking for the best shooter out there, you're better of skipping it.

That all being said though, Blacklight: Tango Down is a quite solid shooter that combines entertaining gameplay with some unique features and throws it all together into a commendable multiplayer package.

A music game crippled by a so-so adventure game, which leaves both kids and adults looking to High School Musical, or trying to get tickets to the real Hannah Montana Tour.

Overall, Rayman 3D is a competent platformer but it's sinfully old. Rather than sprucing it up and developing a truly great re-release, Ubisoft was happy to repackage ancient materials and ship them as new content. If you've played the game already there is very little reason to redo it on the Nintendo 3DS. If you haven't played the original, it's likely too old to be worth your time. However, if playing tragically outdated platformers with more back story than you'll know what to do with is what you're after, Rayman 3DS is your game.

Overall, the entertainment is there, but usability is lacking.

MX vs ATV Alive has decent gameplay going for it, and though the controls and rider reflex mode can cause some head scratching moments, they rarely detract from a race's enjoyment. However, the big problem with the game is that there isn't much of it, and what little there is of it at the start must be completed over and over again far beyond the point of entertainment. Until you get those small nibbles of new content, MX vs ATV Alive is a grindfest.

If you are a fan of this series and don't mind getting strategy in your action then you won't be disappointed with KOEI's latest endeavor.

Where the game ultimately stumbles is in its lack of cohesive gameplay mechanics, some cheap parlor tricks in terms of movement and characters that don't get enough quality time in the limelight. Still, I'd be hard pressed not to recommend this game to fans of games like Dynasty Warriors or Drakengard.

The game is so hopelessly generic, even with what little is does get right, it just can't rise above what it is... another "me-too" game.

For some bizarre reason, Konami thought it would be a great idea to make the screen as tiny as possible and make it as difficult as possible to fix it. You have to pause the game (while in game) to adjust the screen size. While in single player it’s not a problem, but during an Xbox Live game, it’s very much a problem.

A perfect example of what happens when you try to follow inspiration yet forget to bring your own intuition and imagination.

A solid game, especially for a launch title. There's lots of interesting gameplay, hidden missions and a ton of planes to unlock.

If there's one true complaint we could lodge against Over The Hedge, it's the game's real lack of camera control.

If there's one true complaint we could lodge against Over The Hedge, it's the game's real lack of camera control.

I’m only recommending this game to the patient—desperate for something they’ve experienced before.

The problem with Nexagon is that the gameplay isn't enjoyable because of the all the elements that don't gel together in a cohesive way. The AI doesn't always work.

If you're a Crazy Taxi or Simpsons fanatic, this game will definitely appeal to you. If you don't care much about either, don't bother.

It's got great potential, even high expectations, and in every department there is some glaring detail that cannot be overlooked. Had there been just a little more time spent with it, tweaking the small things here and there, it could have been a surefire hit.

The wacky control requirements kill any desire to play the game. If you have a lot of patience, and a weird sense of humor, you may get a kick out of Illbleed.

It’s just boring and redundant. It’s worth a rental, especially if you enjoyed the big-screen or comic book incarnations of the franchise, but even a guest appearance by Angie herself wouldn’t make this worth full price.

The game is all over the map. The story is interesting and gives a little peek into Japanese society. The graphics are fantastic, but the music is horrible. Finally, the fact you can’t actually do anything to affect any of the game’s outcomes is somewhat ridiculous, and in the end makes it difficult to recommend.

At the end of this game within a game, Reminisce isn't bad at all - its biggest problems are that it is just too familiar to .hack players and many of The World's areas feel a little too recycled.

The main problem that kills NightCaster's chances of being a great game is the very thing trying to make it unique; the targeting system.

With poor cover songs, a limited song selection, horrible graphics and a lack of online play, the game doesn’t really have much going for it. Even the kids preferred the original DDR SuperNova to this game—a major disappointment.

Moon Diver simply can't compete with recent entries like Outland, Vampire Smile, or Hard Corps: Uprising. Although fundamentally similar, those games offer much more variety and dynamic gameplay that combine retro and modern sensibilities to far greater effect. I would have loved to have seen Mr. Yotsui come forward with a game at least as good as Strider, which was one of the best action games of the 16-bit era, but this title feels more like one of the also-rans from that period that no one remembers or plays any longer. I suspect that it won't be very long before those descriptors can be applied to this miserable game.

Even zombies can't save it from being judged against its much better ancestor, and that's one fight it will never win.

A short and simple minded FPS shooter that will fill the void if you need some mindless run and gun action, but if you are looking for game play that is a little more mentally challenging and in depth, or even fun, than you will need to keep on looking.

I have nothing against casual edutainment titles that are fun for the whole family, but the marketing behind the game led me to believe I was getting into something more complex.

As a whole Revenge of the Fallen is a solid package. Though the melee combat is practically counterproductive and the odd accidental transforms will nag at you here and there ultimately the game delivers an entertaining go of things.

Overall, Fantastic 4 continues the proud tradition of mediocrity set by the majority of both movie-based and superhero games.

An all too familiar Sega story: a refreshing new take on an old genre, featuring great control, sharp graphics, but crippled by lack of depth.

Theresia: Dear Emile does a great job of providing old school adventure elements with striking visuals, great sound and a breadcrumb approach to storytelling that will have you up far longer at night than you had planned, as you work to uncover more memories, or just see what's in the next room.

If a truly authentic hitter/pitcher battle is what you crave, for example, this isn’t going to do it for you. If what you really want is to just sit down and have some fun playing something that looks and feels a lot like baseball, even if it’s not the most authentic game on the market, then this game will do the job.

Where the game seriously losses points is in its presentation. Delta Force: Black Hawk Down is a two-year-old computer game and it shows it.

Online and offline multiplayer gives Zombie Apocalypse a little extra pulse, but not enough to invigorate the burden of repetition.

What’s most impressive is the game’s physics engine.

In the end this is a game that most likely needed a bit more development time in which to iron out the kinks. There’s a good game in here, but its buried underneath psychic AI and strange game mechanics.

But with over 200 hundred puzzles to solve, two gameplay modes and some nifty unlockables this cool little puzzler is worth it.

Criticisms aside, it makes for a fantastic handheld game. It’s tailor-made for quick bursts of play (like that morning subway ride, or ahem, bathroom breaks) or longer sessions (especially multiplayer matches).

Shining Tears is clichéd, has a few flaws in the combat system and is sometimes a little too easy for even one character (let alone a pair of them) to run through. And yet, Despite all its shortcomings, I've really enjoyed playing the game.

Despite the game's shortcomings, it provides an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon and isn't a bad video game entry for a hero whose appearances have been limited to 2D fighters and isometric action-RPGs.

Those looking at this game as a way to jump into the trading card genre, or just looking for a new way to make their’s Marvel, will be better suited with heading down to the Game Shop and entering the tutelage of the resident ten year old experts.

But the frustration that the average player will feel with the level design, and the lack of a map to help him navigate those levels, is going to truly test his ability to resist the temptation to throw his shiny new toy.

Fans of the series might be delighted to have this game in their pocket, but I can't imagine anyone choosing it over the recently released Dynasty Warriors 7 or a favorite console entry in the Koei canon.

Lifeline is not a game for everyone. It's quirky and the controls feel like a toddler's first step-- wobbly and unsure but the beginning of something wonderful.

There is certainly a level of monotony here and the level design runs from clever to painfully linear and stale, but I got exactly what I wanted out of Hunted. I didn't expect a game of the year candidate but I desired, and received an old school hack and slash adventure where I could play with a friend and discuss the proper way to handle a battle situation. If you felt burned by the recent release of Daggerdale and want a better rpg combat alternative, you could do much worse then Hunted: The Demon's Forge.

If you were hoping to get some historical insight into a company that has been around 50 years and in the latter half of its existence adapted very successfully to the new video game medium, forget it.

Both a unique and amusing game, but not everyone is up for the amount of time it takes to actually complete a game.

At the end of the day Dynasty Warriors: Gundam does what it set out to accomplish: mesh two different franchises into a game that is playable but familiar. This game isn't particularly innovative, but at least it gives Gundam fans something.

While Crash's latest offering retains the same great sense of humor and voice acting the gameplay and technical issues drag down the entire package.

Shaun White's contrived inclusion might be the game's biggest misstep, as his predetermined objectives limit your ability to explore and make for some of the least extreme offline boarding on the market.

While playable, True Crime: New York City really isn't worth buying, with clipping bugs and a bad story line and the game being somewhat too easy the game just isn't worth it.

One of the good things about the game is that it targets both boys and girls with its characters from the film -- and let's face it - you don't see too many fat kids getting leading roles in films animated or otherwise.

At the end of the day, this latest Nicktoons game on the PS2 and Wii is good enough for its target audience and gets high marks for bringing these characters to life with decent voice acting, a fun story and some colorful worlds.

3D is used to good effect in some puzzles, but the same effect could be had by staring at a lamp and walking around it, furtively searching for hidden messages before finally quitting and seeing if there's any pie in the house.

I’m only recommending this game to the patient—desperate for something they’ve experienced before.

While playable, True Crime: New York City really isn't worth buying, with clipping bugs and a bad story line and the game being somewhat too easy the game just isn't worth it.

If you don't care about the quality of the covers, then you'll get more out of the game, but even the most serious of audiophiles will find some fun rocking their way to headliner status.

There's no shortage of puzzle games on XBLA, and structurally, Leedmees is competent and fun, but not revolutionary. However, given the art style and excellent use of Kinect controls – let alone the riotous multiplayer, Konami's awesome little experiment deserves a look.

It's not going to set the world on fire for its originality of presentation and gameplay, but for a younger gamer, this a charming and solidly-built platform action/adventure game that should give them some real entertainment with fair value added by the trading card and multiplayer aspects of the cartridge.

In the end the game just doesn’t work as an action or role-playing game and the result is an unfortunate black mark on the company’s resume.

7 Wonders has an interesting premise, and the tidbits you learn about the seven different wonders are fun to read, however interesting premises and random factoids don’t add up to a great game if the gameplay isn’t there.

I am a bit disappointed that I couldn't develop many of the wonderful characters in this game to the level that I could with Spider-Man.

While not every change has been positive, the series was in desperate need of a fresh start, and now, in its sixth major iteration, it has one.

Aside from its superior presentation, about the only really good thing that can be said for Urban Reign is that it is not available to offend on more than one console. That’s right PS2 owners, you can be proud you took the bullet for all gamerdom.

Die hard fans of the show will enjoy it, however with no replay value whatsoever and an extremely short play time, there’s not much justification for buying it. Those that aren’t into the show’s scatological sense of humor, or those looking for a deep courtroom experience won’t find much here.

A perfect example of what happens when you try to follow inspiration yet forget to bring your own intuition and imagination.

From glitches to repetitive dog-fights and long stretches sans jet-pack, there is always something to ruin your fun as you trudge toward a wholly disappointing boss-battle and an inconclusive, patchwork ending.

A complete and pleasant surprise for me. It's not a thinking-man's game, but mindless fun has its appeal. The multiplayer aspect is good, too.

Overall Time Crisis 4 is a fun shooting game but it’s pretty tough to recommend at a $90 price point, especially since a 2nd player on the same console would require a second gun that you can’t purchase at this time. The mission mode is a nice addition, but a multiplayer online mode would have been more welcomed.

An interesting game with a heavy dose of adventure and a moderate amount of action. The action isn't paced at breakneck speed, but it is a lot of fun.

Nothing was done to improve upon the game, and those that want 3D adventure will find much better courts in "Banjo-Tooie" and other games.

From glitches to repetitive dog-fights and long stretches sans jet-pack, there is always something to ruin your fun as you trudge toward a wholly disappointing boss-battle and an inconclusive, patchwork ending.

Frantix is a no-frills puzzler in dire need of a personality transplant.

The puzzles are easily the game’s most enjoyable aspect, as the combat is underwhelming with few exceptions and exploring the linear facility isn’t tense or frightful.

A game with a different and effective spin on an old idea.

Fun and enjoyable game play could have easily made up for the lack in graphic quality. Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows is an all around below average product.

Rule of Rose definitely delivers the chills from beginning to end and although the stories from chapter to chapter can feel a little detached, you will find yourself continually anticipating what will happen next.

And what little new has been added fails to measure up in the implementation department.

People who are fans of the show will enjoy this game quite thoroughly and the cut scenes make the game seem like a never seen before episode.

Hydrophobia isn't a great game, but it certainly has its moments, not to mention an entertaining storyline. It's also extremely short, with roughly five hours of gameplay before a sudden "To Be Continued" message flashes across the screen. That's not a lot of payoff for 1200 MS Points ($15).

It may be fun, but no amount of political (and entertaining) backstabbing can hide the fact that, at the end of the day, this is still Dynasty Warriors 6 with a slight incentive to keep hacking and slashing.

It’s an accessible, fun, card clasher and young gamers will want to take full advantage of the Wi-fi features.

Still, while it lasts, it's an enjoyable if derivative take on the action genre using a superhero that conjures up awesome weapons to great effect. The basic mechanics of the game are well built, with plenty of concessions to make things easier for younger players, the co-op is a great idea, and it's an easy full thousand points, but once the game is over, chances are the memory of it will be fleeting.

The game lacks the depth and flexibility available in other racing titles, but it captures the NASCAR experience expertly.

It's a standard hold-down-the-gas-and-steer racer, with nary a drop of strategy or driving savvy. It's boredom in a can... er, CD.

One of the good things about the game is that it targets both boys and girls with its characters from the film -- and let's face it - you don't see too many fat kids getting leading roles in films animated or otherwise.

A mediocre racer for a single person with a multiplayer mode that is too difficult for the very casual player.

It does present a good, fun, rowdy terrorist hunt that offers access to detailed weapons you probably won’t find in other games, co-op support, and some interesting multiplayer action, but it’s obvious that they really didn’t bother trying much with the storyline (or just weren’t allocated enough time to put any real detail into it), and the aging graphical tech is really becoming obvious.

"The Life" mode is intriguing, but unfulfilling, and although different, not worth the purchase price on its own. There are simply NBA games that look better, play better, and have more to offer fans than this game provides.

Other playable modes offer a little variety to Legend Mode, such as Dream Mode, which opens up a story not seen in the manga for rabid fans to devour, and Challenge Mode featuring endless waves of enemies to slaughter again and again, but unless you're that devoted fan with every single episode of the anime series and every volume of the manga, there just isn't enough here to recommend.

Problem is, I’ve been here before. The gameplay is nothing special. There must be a dozen games of similar design and feel. This particular title certainly hones and refines this style, but there is nothing to shout from the rooftops.

In a world where The Beatles Rock Band exists, the paltry effort put into Guitar Hero: Van Halen is, quite simply, deplorable. If you‘re going to devote the time, money, and effort to developing a band-themed game in this franchise—then do it right. Don’t embarrass yourselves by passing something like this off as a legitimate, full-featured game.

While not every change has been positive, the series was in desperate need of a fresh start, and now, in its sixth major iteration, it has one.

It looks good, handles well, and has a nice variety of things to it, but it doesn't stand out when tossed in with the rest of the PlayStation library.