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

It’s this blend of casual pick up and play feel, deep, challenging gameplay and copious amounts of activities that makes this a very hard game to put down.

It’s this blend of casual pick up and play feel, deep, challenging gameplay and copious amounts of activities that makes this a very hard game to put down.

Dawn of War was a finely tuned game with huge battles and many disposable troops. Dawn of War II is faster, lighter, smaller, in some ways more interesting and in other ways somewhat lacking in its execution. But taken as a whole it’s impossible to not recommend the game to 40K fans and to those who are willing to accept that this is not a linear sequel to an aging franchise.

This blend of familiar gameplay and contemporary aesthetic lends incredibly well to the game, giving you the sense that it’s something wholly new, with plenty of nods to a bygone era.

This blend of familiar gameplay and contemporary aesthetic lends incredibly well to the game, giving you the sense that it’s something wholly new, with plenty of nods to a bygone era.

Rockstar has set the bar for what downloadable content can be and I for one can’t wait to see what the next adventure holds in store.

There’s little doubt that Prinny is good old-fashioned frustrating fun, with loads of replayability granted by its six difficulty levels packing myriad trinkets to be picked up along the way.

If you're the type who gets angry when you lose because of something like “my arm twitched” or “the sensor bar didn't register that,” stay far away from Evasive Space; it's just going to tick you off. If you have the patience to deal with the occasional annoyance, though, Evasive Space is a unique, clever title that will make a decent addition to your Wiiware library.

While it’s not all bad it is hard to find any aspect of the game that is particularly praiseworthy.

The game hardly lays out a convincing tale, which leaves gameplay to perform double duty.

The game hardly lays out a convincing tale, which leaves gameplay to perform double duty.

In all seriousness, this game is exactly what Wii owners need. It’s fun, funny, violent and tuned right in to the sensibilities of the hardcore. If you love bad B-movies, and you like shooting things, this is a total no-brainer – no pun intended.

Onechanbara knows it’s goofy and stupid. It’s just too bad it doesn’t realize that it’s a terrible game.

Still, even with the short playing time, it's hard not to recommend Deadly Creatures. The level design is top notch, the animations of the various bugs are downright creepy and the combat is oddly satisfying. The game also hosts some interesting boss battles which take into account the fact that the bosses are usually much, much bigger than you, meaning that the best way to win is to simply survive.

Tenchu works best when taken as a puzzle game that requires you to master your ninja sense and proceed step-by-step, error-by-error, to every stage’s inevitable boss. As a “stealth action” game, however, it falls short of expectations.

Enemies almost always react faster than your character, he turns as if he’s in a particularly unwieldy chariot. Jumping is a chore, thanks to the awkward mapping of the function to the nunchuk’s Z button.

I could further bemoan the lack of character customization, the mash-a-licious combat system, and the (mostly) fluid yet barebones platforming, but sometimes we all need a little simplicity. Like a Jason Statham action flick, Afro Samurai won’t change your life in any meaningful way, but it’s perfect for those days when you want to sink into the couch, turn off your brain, and watch some bloody entertainment.

I could further bemoan the lack of character customization, the mash-a-licious combat system, and the (mostly) fluid yet barebones platforming, but sometimes we all need a little simplicity. Like a Jason Statham action flick, Afro Samurai won’t change your life in any meaningful way, but it’s perfect for those days when you want to sink into the couch, turn off your brain, and watch some bloody entertainment.

Baseball text simmers have dreamed for a game like this for years, but if you want to be taken seriously by the sim crowd you need to do a better job of simulating the sport – otherwise it’s simply not worth the time and money.

The game isn’t flawless, but it is solid where it counts and does drive the series forward if only by a small margin.

The game isn’t flawless, but it is solid where it counts and does drive the series forward if only by a small margin.

With a story that’s worth replaying, a cast of characters that are both fun and unique, and a skill/battle system that just begs to be used and abused, it’s easy to see why the original PS1 version is still heralded to this day.

Unfortunately, inspiration and programming prowess aren't enough and in the end, Moon starts off strong, but quickly turns into a boring and repetitive experience.

You'll get a pretty solid singleplayer experience for your money, as well as the chance to experience that crazy "parkour" fad with the normal bone-breaking falls you would endure - but don't expect much beyond that.

The one saving grace that the game does has is that is references plenty of older, classic novels that young kids may have never heard of.

The episode is brimming with pop culture references that range from The Color Purple, Se7en, The Shining, and even Samuel Adams beer.

The episode is brimming with pop culture references that range from The Color Purple, Se7en, The Shining, and even Samuel Adams beer.

P4 is constantly enveloped by an aura of dire urgency.

In spite of the clunky control, it's still very easy to use, and the action is slow enough to allow you plenty of time to scheme.

There is no reason to purchase Safecracker for the Wii. The puzzles are exactly the same in both versions, as are the graphics. There’s no noticeable loading screen lag in the PC version, and it’s much easier to play with a good old mouse.

In fact, the aesthetic and fun weapon building elements save this title from utter mediocrity.

The world itself is actually incredibly cool – it’s a giant representation of the “real” world, from a tiny mushroom’s perspective.

It's a shame that the game doesn't match the acrobatic thrill of its next generation cousins, but at the same time you do have to give credit for trying something new with the stylus only controls.

If you are looking for a challenging platformer that will test your gamepad skill to its fullest – Prince of Persia isn’t that game. Still, despite its lack of overt difficulty, this game remains special, and while it didn’t take terribly long to finish, and replay value isn’t too high unless you get obsessed with seed collecting, it was definitely nine to ten hours well spent and is an adventure you should not miss.

If you are looking for a challenging platformer that will test your gamepad skill to its fullest – Prince of Persia isn’t that game. Still, despite its lack of overt difficulty, this game remains special, and while it didn’t take terribly long to finish, and replay value isn’t too high unless you get obsessed with seed collecting, it was definitely nine to ten hours well spent and is an adventure you should not miss.

It prides itself on being undyingly faithful to its source material; opting to create the ultimate edition of this must-own title with additions that never distract from the innovations that made the game a classic in the first place.

It is not impossible to enjoy Syberia, you'll just need a lot of patience to do so. For most people though, there comes a point where you'll watch Kate walk across a screen that she can't do anything but traverse and think to yourself "what else can I do while waiting for her?" I'd suggest playing a better game.

It’s a fairly formulaic plot, but an interesting one nonetheless.

War Plan Pacific is simply the latest wargame to demonstrate that the genre has moved well beyond the grognard mainstays of hexes and combat resolution tables. It is a quick playing and transparent game with an elegance that puts a lot of larger budget games to shame.

The bottom line is that it’s impossible to recommend this title to anyone who isn’t a fairly hardcore adventure buff.

They won’t win a lot of prizes with these games, and Mosby’s Confederacy has many of the same problems that Hinterland has – some lack of clarity, repetitiveness, etc. But the strengths outweigh the weaknesses and Mosby’s is absolutely worth a close look.

Even if you can get over the sheer stupidity of making Sonic a big, brawny “Werehog”, and even if the janky, overly finicky platforming doesn’t put you off, answer me this: who the hell wants to brawl in a Sonic game?

The night of fun has long passed for this underwhelming game and the morning heralds a test that it doesn't have the chops to really pass with flying colors.

Really, the biggest issue with the game is the lame multiplayer and lack of enough game modes.

The online-focus and lack of plot are sure to rub some people the wrong way, but FPS-fans and zombie aficionados have never played anything quite like Left 4 Dead. It is a near-perfect mixture of decayed ambiance and relentless pacing that pushes the boundaries of sanity to the breaking point.

The online-focus and lack of plot are sure to rub some people the wrong way, but FPS-fans and zombie aficionados have never played anything quite like Left 4 Dead. It is a near-perfect mixture of decayed ambiance and relentless pacing that pushes the boundaries of sanity to the breaking point.

Ultimately, what makes Robocalypse such a remarkable game is that no one expected it to be this good.

Framerate dips everywhere (going into turns and lots of graphic assets on the screen at once).

While I can’t recommend the game at $60 simply because it’s superior than previous EA attempts, I can say that it might lead to a better series down the road. You have to start somewhere, right?

While I can’t recommend the game at $60 simply because it’s superior than previous EA attempts, I can say that it might lead to a better series down the road. You have to start somewhere, right?

This latest trip to the Homestar Universe surpassed even my (previously) favorite episode, Strong Badia the Free.

This latest trip to the Homestar Universe surpassed even my (previously) favorite episode, Strong Badia the Free.

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.

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.

The perfect example of how to do games right on the Wii. Sure, you can't model every individual snowflake, but you can still provide a great looking, stylish game.

If I may put my series-wide disappointments aside, Animal Crossing: City Folk is still a superb title that should be picked up by everyone who has yet to play an Animal Crossing game.

Mirror’s Edge is not the fully-fledged Parkour game that I was hoping for, and it stumbles over and over in its attempts to be a shooter. It can be needlessly frustrating and begrudgingly repetitive, but equally and truly awe-inspiring. If you can trudge through the story, the Time Trials provide one of the most intense and liberating platforming experiences to date, and ironically, it just might inspire you to turn off the TV and get outside.

Mirror’s Edge is not the fully-fledged Parkour game that I was hoping for, and it stumbles over and over in its attempts to be a shooter. It can be needlessly frustrating and begrudgingly repetitive, but equally and truly awe-inspiring. If you can trudge through the story, the Time Trials provide one of the most intense and liberating platforming experiences to date, and ironically, it just might inspire you to turn off the TV and get outside.

Although platforming may not be the key gameplay mechanic here as it was in previous games, Rare has obviously grown with the current state of gaming and brought a breath of fresh air to the genre as a whole with the whole vehicle system.

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

The multiplayer is as solid the series has seen yet and is capable of carrying the game, but it is disappointing to see the single player campaign waste so much potential.

The multiplayer is as solid the series has seen yet and is capable of carrying the game, but it is disappointing to see the single player campaign waste so much potential.

Call of Duty: World at War is a solid shooter that just happens to be placed in a setting that has grown tiresome over the years. Even so, the technical merits of this game shouldn't be ignored. It's a fast paced, fun game with lots of content and plenty of frantic action.

Arguably the best wrestling game yet on this generation of consoles.

Gears of War 2 takes the formula established by the original and polishes it to great effect. Everything from the pacing of the campaign, tuned difficulty, added weapons and enemies, and slew of multiplayer options demonstrates mastery in design that all action games aspire, yet precious few achieve. Not everything is rosy--chalk the poor story and lame characters as being yet another victim of cheesy game writing. That's excusable, though.

I suppose even a professional escapologist can’t find a way around poorly implemented touch screen controls.

Spark has made a better game this time around than its previous attempt but it still isn’t on par with the elite of the genre. In the end, Legendary is a cool idea wrapped inside an average shooter.

One of the best PS3 games to date.

Quantum of Solace was a rush-job. No amount of pretty textures or fiery explosions can hide it.

Quantum of Solace was a rush-job. No amount of pretty textures or fiery explosions can hide it.

The inventive cooperative play is the reason you should pick up Resistance 2. Running through the single player campaign will net you a good story, even if you have to waddle through some lackluster sections. Competitive multiplayer delivers some good gaming, although the high player counts can be overwhelming.

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.

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.

It has the same lack of subtlety and rapid pace - plus it looks better. But it comes off as an average and unnecessary entry in the series.

The main quest is an enthralling tale that will thrust you into the battlefield of D.C., side-by-side with the Brotherhood of Steel, face to face with the illustrious DJ of Galaxy News Radio (my favorite station of the wastes), and aboard a reclaimed aircraft carrier. It’s an epic journey, but when it’s done, it’s done. The only option after that is to start all over again with a brand new face. No complaints here.

The main quest is an enthralling tale that will thrust you into the battlefield of D.C., side-by-side with the Brotherhood of Steel, face to face with the illustrious DJ of Galaxy News Radio (my favorite station of the wastes), and aboard a reclaimed aircraft carrier. It's an epic journey, but when it's done, it's done. The only option after that is to start all over again with a brand new face. No complaints here.

This is a good game. It’s a really good game. It’s only failing is that it has a mark of greatness upon it and, ever so cruelly, fails to completely achieve it.

When you get down to it, SingStar Vol. 2 just doesn’t make sense as a purchase if you own the original SingStar PS3 and have a broadband connection.

There are a larger variety of vehicles this time around, with additions such as the ATV and monster truck almost bookending the assortment of bikes, buggies, and trucks that you can select.

Ninjatown has “sleeper hit” written all over it. It certainly looks innocent enough on the outside – it’s cute and goofy, and oozes sugary sweetness, as it’s actually based on a stuffed toy line (the Shawnimals, created by ex game journo Shawn Smith). But underneath that fluffy exterior is a seriously addictive tower defense game that is as hardcore as it is adorable.

Play. Create. Share. These three simple words make up developer Media Molecule’s little big blueprint for a charming and unique game that wonderfully brings out the creative side in people. Apparently there are already plans for a sequel, but I can’t imagine how the developers can possibly top this.

Unfortunately, while this third episode was overall entertaining and fun to play, it doesn’t improve from the previous one. In fact, it takes a step back, which is obviously a bit disappointing.

Unfortunately, while this third episode was overall entertaining and fun to play, it doesn’t improve from the previous one. In fact, it takes a step back, which is obviously a bit disappointing.

Guitar Hero: World Tour is Activision’s answer to Rock Band, and while adding drums, bass, and vocals was necessary to keep up with the Joneses, a whole host of new problems are introduced with their inclusion.

Guitar Hero: World Tour is Activision’s answer to Rock Band, and while adding drums, bass, and vocals was necessary to keep up with the Joneses, a whole host of new problems are introduced with their inclusion.

Ultimately, however, Space Trader is just too traditional to ever move beyond mediocre.

This is an engrossing, attractive, dramatic, and entertaining game and one that you simply shouldn't miss.

The good news is that the developers of the respective franchises are trying to regain the glory they once held. The bad news is there’s still a long way to go, especially for our purple dragon friend.

The good news is that the developers of the respective franchises are trying to regain the glory they once held. The bad news is there’s still a long way to go, especially for our purple dragon friend.

An old-school, level-oriented presentation with unrelenting difficulty, making it one of the most refreshing experiences to be had on the DS this holiday season.

A near-perfect Spidey game. The core Spider-Man elements people care about are all present, and arguably better than any game to date. Sadly, the developers forgot to find a way to eliminate the grinding feel of the basic gameplay. The result is a game hard line Spider-Man fans will want to beat in order to experience the story, while casual fans will likely get bored halfway through.

A near-perfect Spidey game. The core Spider-Man elements people care about are all present, and arguably better than any game to date. Sadly, the developers forgot to find a way to eliminate the grinding feel of the basic gameplay. The result is a game hard line Spider-Man fans will want to beat in order to experience the story, while casual fans will likely get bored halfway through.

The game isn't going to bowl you over with its presentation or provide a casual games revolution, but it will give you plenty of fun games to goof around with, and possibly an excuse to get take-out for dinner.

What this game lacks in originality it more than makes up for in execution and puzzle fun.

This is one of the most amazing worlds in gaming and the fact that it's brimming with so much action and intrigue makes it that much better.

This is one of the most amazing worlds in gaming and the fact that it's brimming with so much action and intrigue makes it that much better.

In the end, Star Ocean: First Departure is a wonderful translation of a game Americans were robbed of so long ago. With superb voice acting, phenomenal replayability, and a great translation with new hybrid 2D/3D graphics, Square Enix’s remake team did a great job.