While I couldn't recommend this game to anyone not looking for a slow-paced grindfest, Black Sigil has a few redeeming aspects if you're able to stomach its encounter rate.

Simply put: do not buy Virtua Tennis 2009. There is absolutely no reason to buy this over the superior (and cheaper) VT3.

Simply put: do not buy Virtua Tennis 2009. There is absolutely no reason to buy this over the superior (and cheaper) VT3.

Basically, Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits is like any other Guitar Hero sequel that doesn't drastically change the gameplay experience. If you like the track list, or have friends you want to play multiplayer with, then get the game. If you don't like the songs, then don't.

As a way of taking the four player Rock Band experience and distilling it down into a portable, instrument-free experience, the game excels, it's just that I don't want my Rock Band experience to be instrument free.

With everything there is to do in this game, I don't know why you'd need another golf game next year, or hell, ever.

While Starfy can’t compare to the king of the genre, he certainly has a place in Nintendo’s court.

Red Faction Guerrilla’s unabashed destruction is so much fun that the lengthy load screens gave me an unfamiliar feeling of anxiety. I desperately wanted to move on to the next area and come up with a cool, entertaining way to execute a mission.

Red Faction Guerrilla’s unabashed destruction is so much fun that the lengthy load screens gave me an unfamiliar feeling of anxiety. I desperately wanted to move on to the next area and come up with a cool, entertaining way to execute a mission.

Longtime fans of the series will appreciate not just the massive improvements to customization and gameplay mechanics, but in the little changes as well.

Like a spiny armband of black ink needled in at the end of a bender, Fuel is the tragic result of spontaneity without foresight, and design without inspiration.

The single most brilliant, most thorough, most customizable baseball management game in existence.

It's a shame that the DLC for such a great game had to leave on such a value-less note, but hey, if you haven't beaten the main game, unlimited rocket ammo may just be worth seven bucks.

For everything Infamous does well there’s a counter-balance of agitating design decisions.

In the end, this is a movie for collectors and fans with a casual game tacked on.

Ultimately, Puchi Puchi Virus is a solid puzzle game that's great for anyone tired of the myriad others on the DS.

This is easily the most satisfying and wildly entertaining one-on-one brawler I’ve played on a console.

This is easily the most satisfying and wildly entertaining one-on-one brawler I’ve played on a console.

It’s fun, it’s versatile (I’ve found it to be a hit with gamers and non-gamers), and it offers more bang for your buck (ha!) than just about anything else on Wii right now. It’s the best kind of sequel – one that truly “gets” what was cool about its forebear, cuts the fat and elevates every cool feature to the next logical step. Superb.

As gamers, we are well accustomed to the fate of movie-related games, which is why Salvation is such a disappointment. It has some solid combat, perhaps the best cover-system to date, and the foundation for a captivating plot, but the game lacks any sort of scope.

As gamers, we are well accustomed to the fate of movie-related games, which is why Salvation is such a disappointment. It has some solid combat, perhaps the best cover-system to date, and the foundation for a captivating plot, but the game lacks any sort of scope.

As gamers, we are well accustomed to the fate of movie-related games, which is why Salvation is such a disappointment. It has some solid combat, perhaps the best cover-system to date, and the foundation for a captivating plot, but the game lacks any sort of scope.

This is the best videogame workout on the planet – and it makes you look a little flabby in comparison.

Though Battlestations: Pacific doesn’t have a slew of new features from its predecessor, it does have the same solid gameplay that put the series on the map.

Though Battlestations: Pacific doesn’t have a slew of new features from its predecessor, it does have the same solid gameplay that put the series on the map.

All in all, Shin Megami Tensei games aren't everyone's cup of tea. Repetitive battles, quirky dialogue and complex fusion charts make some gamers squeal in delight while simultaneously sending others in search of a brick wall for some good ole head-bashing. But if you are the type to become obsessive-compulsive about filling your collection to perfection, Devil Summoner adds a dark twist to “catching them all.”

The interface is slick and easy to maneuver, the graphics solid, and the gameplay familiar and yet open enough to allow you to breathe a bit. Sure, the Diablo formula gets stale after a while, and this is no exception, but if the game does nothing else it proves that this genre fits in perfectly on the console—a pretty big achievement, really.

The interface is slick and easy to maneuver, the graphics solid, and the gameplay familiar and yet open enough to allow you to breathe a bit. Sure, the Diablo formula gets stale after a while, and this is no exception, but if the game does nothing else it proves that this genre fits in perfectly on the console—a pretty big achievement, really.

$30 is a fair price to pay for a truly excellent, old school platforming experience.

Plants vs. Zombies is an immensely fun and wonderfully imaginative strategy game that makes for one of the most enjoyable experiences of the year.

If you don't mind some trial and error, or don't mind working through the game until you figure out what to do, there is fun to be had with Puzzle Kingdoms.

At the end of the day X-Men Origins: Wolverine offers a fun, albeit repetitive romp as one of comics' most savage characters.

At the end of the day X-Men Origins: Wolverine offers a fun, albeit repetitive romp as one of comics' most savage characters.

At the end of the day X-Men Origins: Wolverine offers a fun, albeit repetitive romp as one of comics' most savage characters.

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.

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.

Even after performing the same attack for the hundredth time, Super Robot remains easy, and sometimes, entrancing on the eyes.

Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce definitely has the same appeal (or lack thereof depending on your point of view) of its predecessors, but its long list of characters, upgradable attacks, varied weapons and bonus missions gives the series the kick in the ass it has so desperately needed for the last few years.

However, the fact remains that for those who have completed Saints Row 2, there's not a lot of bang for your buck here.

However, the fact remains that for those who have completed Saints Row 2, there's not a lot of bang for your buck here.

As is the case with every title in the franchise, Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 doesn't re-invent the wheel. A few minor changes here and there, more than double the playable characters, and a half-hearted attempt at bringing large scale boss fights to the series are the only real changes over the last version.

As is the case with every title in the franchise, Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 doesn't re-invent the wheel. A few minor changes here and there, more than double the playable characters, and a half-hearted attempt at bringing large scale boss fights to the series are the only real changes over the last version.

In so many ways, this feels like a return to the simple, all-ages fun that the older Mario Kart games offered. It’s totally satisfying, challenging (though never frustrating) and completely ridiculous in the best way.

As archaic and sadistic as The Dark Spire will surely seem to gamers raised on the post-FFVII world of Square Enix, it is proof that luscious graphics and orchestral scores will never oust the foundations of solid, old-fashioned gameplay.

It’s fast, easy to learn, and you never, ever come away with the feeling you were cheated – if you lose a game there is a specific reason why you lost.

If you've never played the original game, it's well worth your time to pick it up and while Dark Athena doesn't compare, it's still fun—up to a point.

If you've never played the original game, it's well worth your time to pick it up and while Dark Athena doesn't compare, it's still fun—up to a point.

The strategy elements fall short and are only as important as you choose to make them, but the combination of brutal action and customizable crews is reason enough to warrant a play-through.

The strategy elements fall short and are only as important as you choose to make them, but the combination of brutal action and customizable crews is reason enough to warrant a play-through.

The strategy elements fall short and are only as important as you choose to make them, but the combination of brutal action and customizable crews is reason enough to warrant a play-through.

The problem isn’t that Tales of Valor lacks any quality features or commendable traits, but that it doesn’t really do anything with them.

Ninja Blade does have its faults, like only being able to wall run up a wall where it is explicitly specified and not two feet to the left or right of the certain spot, and glitchy animations during some up close battles, but all in all, the game is an effective over the top action title that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Fact is, Elven Legacy doesn’t push any envelopes or try to add some fancy new twist to the genre. It’s generic in almost every conceivable way.

It’s hard to tell whether Tokyo Beat Down is a nostalgic parody of a classic genre, or a hack-job beat-‘em-up with a satirical sheen of machismo to hide the blemishes. Either way, it doesn’t matter when the sloppy fighting mechanics and flavorless style would have been hard-pressed to glean a second quarter back in the arcade heydays.

Ultimately, if you like Metallica (a lot), and if you like the standard Guitar Hero gameplay formula, then this game is well worth the price of admission. If you don’t meet both those criteria, however, you really should move on.

Ultimately, if you like Metallica (a lot), and if you like the standard Guitar Hero gameplay formula, then this game is well worth the price of admission. If you don’t meet both those criteria, however, you really should move on.

Ultimately, if you like Metallica (a lot), and if you like the standard Guitar Hero gameplay formula, then this game is well worth the price of admission. If you don’t meet both those criteria, however, you really should move on.

Unfortunately, the simplicity went a notch too far, and instead of a fun, arcade-like romp through memories of wrestling yesteryear, we're left with a wrestling game that has the best roster in 10 years, but some of the least challenging and least fun gameplay.

Unfortunately, the simplicity went a notch too far, and instead of a fun, arcade-like romp through memories of wrestling yesteryear, we're left with a wrestling game that has the best roster in 10 years, but some of the least challenging and least fun gameplay.

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.

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.

While single players will need a bit of extra setup time, the enjoyable story and intuitive touch controls make Echoes of Time a blast to play for practically anyone – not just the diehard RPG fans out there.

While single players will need a bit of extra setup time, the enjoyable story and intuitive touch controls make Echoes of Time a blast to play for practically anyone – not just the diehard RPG fans out there.

Whether or not you enjoy BattleForge depends largely on how much of a purist you are. It has the cunning and diverse combos of a CCG, but not the pacing for patient maneuvers. It has the tactics and resource-management of RTS, but not the stability in foes to plan for every possibility.

I think what bugs me the most about this game is that I had my original expectations set pretty darned low before it came out in the hopes of being easily-impressed, and sadly, it ended up meeting many of these low expectations.

The campaign weaves a weak story that’s as incomprehensible as it is uninteresting, but it delivers on satisfying shooting and alien genocide enough to make it an entertaining venture that’s better off being experienced online with some buddies and a headset.

It’s just now you can really see the difference between FIFA and PES – and FIFA is starting to pull away.

Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure is a fantastic game for anyone who loves old school platformers and match 3 puzzle games.

I can only hope that soon you can come here and take part in the fun. I will warn you though, that once you do, you won't want to leave.

Grand Ages: Rome will win no prizes for cleverness or originality, though the military subgame is better than we are used to in this genre. It is mostly a surprising refinement in a series that has been mostly bland and pointless.

So go ahead, close your eyes and imagine a world where Wiimotes work flawlessly. Even in this paradise, Ready 2 Rumble Revolution would be nowhere near perfect. But at least everyone could enjoy a few relatively engaging rounds of boxing before tossing the controller out the window.

As it stands, however, Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume is still a great game for either starved SRPG fans or those looking to get their feet wet with a multi-branching title that lets you choose your destiny.

It's not a perfect game by any accounts, but it's by far one of the better titles in my collection, and one I'm proud to recommend to fans of either action or strategy games.

It’s still an enjoyable experience, but multiplayer is the absolute reason to pick up RE5. It’s the feature that we’ve been wishing for since day one (Outbreak didn’t count), and Capcom delivers a fine show.

It’s still an enjoyable experience, but multiplayer is the absolute reason to pick up RE5. It’s the feature that we’ve been wishing for since day one (Outbreak didn’t count), and Capcom delivers a fine show.

In other words, Uprising does nothing to lift Red Alert 3 or move it in any really interesting direction.

For a game that is so entertaining, because of, or in spite of the copious amounts of gore, having a reason to pause and think at the end is the cherry on top of a brutally exciting, blood soaked sundae.

Its story is light-hearted and enjoyable; its music and setting feel spot-on; and the in-depth alchemy system is perfect for those who love to tinker around in their workshops. Still, it's a love of labor as much as it's a labor of love, and it's hard to feel like a lot more time was needed to fully optimize it for the PSP.

Pikmin virgins and curious Wii owners should definitely take a look at this quirky, satisfying little game, especially if they have a craving for something a bit different. Vets will probably be fine with their dusty GC copies, but this is certainly a game worth experiencing, in its old or waggle-enhanced form.

This is easily worth the $30, especially if you happen to have friends over on a regular basis.

Is it harder? Absolutely—but it's also not nearly as much fun, the witty banter between the Prince and Elika is gone, and the ending leaves the player, and the Prince, wondering just what all of the effort was for. Combine that with the short play time (about two hours) and the recycled enemies and you're left thinking that your ten bucks could have been better spent elsewhere.

Is it harder? Absolutely—but it's also not nearly as much fun, the witty banter between the Prince and Elika is gone, and the ending leaves the player, and the Prince, wondering just what all of the effort was for. Combine that with the short play time (about two hours) and the recycled enemies and you're left thinking that your ten bucks could have been better spent elsewhere.

The differences between Halo Wars and a more traditional PC RTS are distinct. Yes, the controls aren’t as precise nor are there a great diversity of units, structures, or resources—but that's the point. By approaching the game as fundamentally different, the resulting design feels native to the console controller. In the end Halo Wars just plain works, and is a huge step in the development of real time strategy gaming on the consoles.

I think what bugs me the most about this game is that I had my original expectations set pretty darned low before it came out in the hopes of being easily-impressed, and sadly, it ended up meeting many of these low expectations.

I think what bugs me the most about this game is that I had my original expectations set pretty darned low before it came out in the hopes of being easily-impressed, and sadly, it ended up meeting many of these low expectations.

It seems that Sonic Team is emerging ever-so-slowly from the hole it’s dug itself into with the Sonic franchise.

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.

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.

A sports game must, above all else, stay unpredictable. If things start to get stale or if you start losing faith in the design because you’ve seen everything there is to see then a game can quickly lose its appeal. And that‘s what makes The Show special. Things happen.

MLB 09: The Show on the PSP is the second best baseball title of the year, losing only to The Show on the PS3. I don't know if that's more of a sign of how sub-par 2K's offering this year was or a real testament to the handheld developers of The Show, but there's no arguing with the end result, no matter the cause.

Because i[t] successfully brings together a compelling single player campaign and fully realized multiplayer experience, Killzone 2 emerges as a new benchmark for the shooter genre. This is a game that leverages an atmospheric presentation and superb game design for something memorable and lasting. To quibble about a lack of cooperative play through the campaign or the omission of some other feature is to miss the point: Killzone 2 is meant to be a carefully laid out epic. It is a must-have game, a brilliant start for the year, and among the best games of this generation.

The perfect game to port to the DS. Its addictive qualities will keep you staring at the small screen during your lunch break or while waiting for your flight.

Matt Hazard’s designers clearly tried to do something interesting here, and the basic concept of a videogame action star as a washed-up Hollywood type is really quite cool. If only the game actually lived up to its premise.

Matt Hazard’s designers clearly tried to do something interesting here, and the basic concept of a videogame action star as a washed-up Hollywood type is really quite cool. If only the game actually lived up to its premise.

A must-buy expansion. While I badly want to see larger-scale enhancements to the gameplay for future expansions, the amount of content in this release still balances very well against its cost, and those 'turtle'-styled RTS gamers (guilty here) hesitant to get onboard Sins of a Solar Empire due to the lack of any real defensive options will now have a great reason to pick it up.

At the end of the day, if you can look past the utterly stupid story and just enjoy the game for what it is, a fast paced, high scoring, arcade shooter, you'll probably find yourself having a lot of fun.