The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is a big surprise and not just because there's a music game reference out of nowhere or an unexpected nod to ancient text-based adventure games. This is a very nicely put-together package of quality content with plenty to differentiate itself from other XBLA offerings.

The game is best played in small chunks, which, given the attention span of most puppies, is appropriate, but those looking for a deep gameplay experience may be put off.

The game is best played in small chunks, which, given the attention span of most puppies, is appropriate, but those looking for a deep gameplay experience may be put off.

The game is best played in small chunks, which, given the attention span of most puppies, is appropriate, but those looking for a deep gameplay experience may be put off.

Though not being full-featured, or even sort of featured, PAM is only $9.99, so it's hard to come down on it with a vengeance. In fact, it's quite a bit of fun.

Really, though, it's the characters, not to mention their well done dialog, and story resolution that make the DLC something any fan of the main game should experience.

Anyone that played the PC version should be right at home here. In fact, the game is basically the same all around, which, disappointingly, means that the XBLA version of the game also lacks co-op. This is the only real downside to Torchlight.

WWE All Stars is all about giving the impression that the stars of WWE are god-like. From the overblown caricatures to the over-the-top physics and dazzling lighting effects, the game does a good job of making its case. More importantly, All-Stars proves that a wrestling game that does not have the word "SmackDown" in its title can be successful.

Although I question Bioware's prioritization of interactive cinema over interesting and variable gameplay, that doesn't mean Dragon Age 2 isn't worth experiencing. This game grabs and tears at your emotions like few others can and that is worth a lot.

CreaVures garnered a considerable amount of attention with its distinctively colorful visuals, and for some people that may be enough to look beyond the game's failings. It is pretty. It also has excellent potential, but at the moment, it's eye-candy that requires too many concessions in gameplay to fully enjoy.

While Rift still has some things to iron out in terms of balance, bugs and lag, that's par for the course for any new MMO and since launch, the Rift team has been actively talking to the community and addressing their concerns. Although many of the quests could use a heavier dose of originality, the game as a whole offers a large amount of interest and fun; so much in fact, it just might lure more than a few players away from that other MMO.

Honestly, I don't know if you'll enjoy these original Ys games, but as an old school gamer that is still in love with the classics, I greatly appreciate being able to play them again. Your enjoyment will be limited by your ability to handle unforgiving combat and a red haired protagonist that has no voice.

The combination of its weak story setup and the arduous grind to see it through completely killed the single player portion of this DLC add-on for me; thankfully, the multiplayer additions allow me to cautiously recommend it for those who enjoy playing AC:B online and have ten bucks to burn – everyone else, there's nothing much to see here.

The combination of its weak story setup and the arduous grind to see it through completely killed the single player portion of this DLC add-on for me; thankfully, the multiplayer additions allow me to cautiously recommend it for those who enjoy playing AC:B online and have ten bucks to burn – everyone else, there's nothing much to see here.

It's easy to sit back and view the game through the lens of what hasn't changed, but to do so would cause you to miss out on all of the wonderful tweaks and additions to a series built on an already strong foundation.

It seems fitting somehow that Okamiden be one of the games that closes out the DS's reign as the game's themes of youth combined with tradition seems to mirror the current transition from one console to the next.

In the end, if you are looking for a modern day Dungeon Keeper, this isn't it, whether or not Realmforge tried to design that game or not is immaterial.

Either playing solo, with friends or against them, Shogun 2 is the pinnacle of the Total War series. This is how you pay homage to a brilliant game that started a franchise, and I wouldn't be upset after seeing what the developer has done here if we saw remakes of Rome or even another Medieval Total War.

It's a shame the game engine isn't flashier, because it does put up a good fight, but without a sexy bullet point like Killzone's graphics, Bad Company's destructible buildings, or MAG's 256 players, it's going to be hard to draw new players in.

It's a shame the game engine isn't flashier, because it does put up a good fight, but without a sexy bullet point like Killzone's graphics, Bad Company's destructible buildings, or MAG's 256 players, it's going to be hard to draw new players in.

It's a shame the game engine isn't flashier, because it does put up a good fight, but without a sexy bullet point like Killzone's graphics, Bad Company's destructible buildings, or MAG's 256 players, it's going to be hard to draw new players in.

It's a little small, and most of it is available individually through XBLA or Steam, but what's here is gold.

De Blob 2 is not a hard game, not by any stretch of the imagination, and people that were raised on Mario may find the game entirely too easy but the game offers the right level of challenge for kids and people new to platformers.

Hyperdimension spends too much time engaging in fan service and in objectifying women and not enough time on making the core gameplay compelling enough.

There are not as many games like this as there used to be, and hardly any that have the kind scope on display in War in the East. It is a good, very detailed example of the classic hex-based operational wargame.

For the most part, Knights Contract is a monumental disappointment mainly because there are occasional glimpses at the fact that it could have been so much better. The frustrating combat, dull graphics, uneven acting, and insipid A.I. make it ultimately impossible to recommend even as a rental.

For the most part, Knights Contract is a monumental disappointment mainly because there are occasional glimpses at the fact that it could have been so much better. The frustrating combat, dull graphics, uneven acting, and insipid A.I. make it ultimately impossible to recommend even as a rental.

Hard Corps: Uprising has that old Contra feel, including a bit of obligatory missile riding, but Arc System Works manages to carve its own niche with a sharp art-style and the customization of Rising mode. Although it can be painfully rough in some spots, it powers through with barrels blazing and, hopefully, marks the beginning of an amazing series.