Whether you are new to the series or cut your teeth on Thief's particular brand of stealth when it was still novel, I'd wager your feelings will waver as often as mine did. The Thief-franchise-inspired Dishonored waves the stealth flag far more confidently than this reboot does. Garrett is not yet on his way out, but he's been shown the door.

Tough puzzles and grinding point-and-click pixel hunts are the main activities in Red Johnson's Chronicles.

The game delivers creepy moments aplenty, and your German Shepherd makes a unique and neat teammate to play with, but some gameplay oddness and dog artificial intelligence quirks mar the adventure.

CivCity: Rome could have been a classic, but it wound up just another city builder.

This is not the return of No More Heroes you'd hoped for, but it at least shows signs of a series that still has life in it.

A by-the-numbers movie-licensed game that makes pretty good use of its source material without really doing anything too surprising. It's perfect for kids.

It doesn't give a good first impression, but Harmony of Despair delivers new and exciting gameplay opportunities for an old series.

Dynasty Warriors Plus comes with new touch-based diversions, but they don't prevent this entry from being the same old button masher.

For all its attempts to honor Square-Enix's long-running series, Dissidia Final Fantasy NT stumbles far too often when trying to replicate some of the many core gameplay tenants of the series in the framework of its own game. While it manages to offer fun and responsive combat, along with an infectious charm throughout, it struggles to advance much from the previous Dissidia titles. With a story that's fed piecemeal behind arbitrary gating, several combat encounters that feel out of place, and unreliable online systems that don't function when you need them to, this online brawler isn't able to live up to the series that it steadfastly tries to celebrate.

Ice Age may be kid-friendly, funny, and faithful to the movie, but it's also repetitive and over too quickly.

This add-on is a hollow return to a distinctive city.

Improves on the features that were introduced in the previous game and implements some new features that longtime fans should appreciate. On the other hand, it also retains the same graphics, audio, and basic game design that have been with the series since its inception roughly four years ago.

Whether or not you enjoy the game's single-player modes, however, will depend on your ability to forgive the design flaws that make it nearly impossible to establish reads and tells against CPU opponents.

Unskippable cutscenes made replaying the first few levels more of a chore than it should've been, and the same remains true if you opt to replay the whole game on a higher difficulty level after completing it. There's nothing else to do if you want to eke out some additional replayability, and Bright Memory: Infinite's short length is certain to put some people off. It's a fun shooter for as long as it lasts, though, offering a satisfying mix of fast-paced gunplay and dynamic action. It's also hard not to be impressed that this came from the talents of a lone developer. Unfortunately, a dismal stealth section, unintelligible story, and some major technical issues hold it back, while its terseness does make it difficult to recommend, even at a low price point.

Many of the interesting concepts in T:A llose their appeal shortly after the umpteenth quest to help some tortured soul in town.

For football fans looking for an alternative to Madden, QB Club 2002 is far from perfect, but it isn't terrible, especially if you're not interested in a single-player game.

Since the PS2 version loses the crispness of the original's graphics and some of the game's other fine touches in translation, it can't be recommended over the PC version.

A difficult game that's clearly designed for experienced role-playing gamers, but these are the same sorts of people who might have already lost their patience for this antiquated style of gameplay.

It's not just another cookie-cutter shooter but plays differently in a number of key ways. So if you're looking for a unique twist on the single-player PC shooter, then Dead to Rights is worth your while.

BloodRayne 2 was perfectly fine on consoles, despite the game's problems, but a significant amount of time has passed, and the notion of the exact same game from last year coming out--now on the PC, with serious control issues and graphical hangups--is kind of an offensive one.

Exceptionally easy and surprisingly brief, but while it lasts, it's a fun romp for its target audience through Prisoner of Azkaban's twisty storyline.

The excitement of arcade-style supermoves, combined with the deep mechanics of the real sport, makes The Bigs 2 a thrilling baseball game.

Despite the fact that its graphics leave something to be desired, Blackthorne's gameplay and atmosphere are just as satisfying as they were on the Super NES nearly a decade ago.

SWD might seem like some half-baked attempt to cash in on the Star Wars license, though it's actually a competently executed game.

Code of Princess is a fun and funny fantasy brawler that's unfortunately hampered by technical issues.

Despite its sometimes tedious gameplay, Corpse Party: Book of Shadows is a rare horror game that manages to deliver on its intention to frighten its players.

Had Double Cross opted to focus more on its strength--fun physics platforming--and de-emphasized things like combat and the tedious mystery-solving element, the game would have been an easy recommendation. But the weak parts of the package drag down the whole, and Double Cross winds up feeling like it's a somewhat undercooked mash of ideas.

Yet DC Universe Online tips its hand early on; in all too short a time, it stops offering any real surprises, remaining approachable but never wading too far from the shallow end of the pool.

The gameplay still pops, and the career mode still has plenty to offer, but Top Spin just isn't as exciting as it once was.

Luffy's newest voyage isn't one for the ages, but it still offers up plenty of goodhearted fun.

The interface elements in the game are also fairly well conceived, but the overall package suffers from gameplay that doesn't offer much challenge, eliminating any sense of tension.

It might be short, but I enjoyed almost every minute of my time with CounterSpy. The movement and gunplay are smooth and responsive, and the lovingly crafted presentation remains stunning throughout. This is a stealth game that makes you feel as silent as you are deadly, and is wonderfully, wholly refreshing.

How far can cinematics get you when the gameplay sandwiched between them is so poorly paced, so utterly misconceived, so reliant on stick wriggles and button tapping? There's a place for contextual prompts and cinematic storytelling in video games, but Resident Evil 6 is a mishmash of elements put together without any sense of care or direction.

Based on the strength of its maps and its great shooting mechanics, XDefiant enters the free-to-play shooter space in competent shape. Some of its balancing issues will hopefully be rectified soon, but even then, overpowered snipers are a relatively minor issue compared to its clumsy mishmash of styles. The pace of the action is at odds with its class-based approach, almost completely undermining its focus on unique character abilities. Combat is enjoyable enough that it's still eminently playable, and XDefiant's foundations are ripe for improvement. Competition is stiff, though, and there are better options out there that aren't as conflicted.

While it's better than the poor GameCube port of the original "Crazy Taxi," ultimately, the only saving grace Road Rage has is that it's a Simpsons game.

The transition to the more measured pace of a turn-based battle system is handled surprisingly well, and while the game is too short and too simplistic, there's still a good time to be had here for Mega Man X fans.

This familiar Lego-themed adventure has flashy 3D effects, but predictable gameplay and a lack of challenge keep it from flying high.

Ultimately, lack of player input and randomness makes Miitopia feel like a slow slog you mostly watch rather than play.

Quite an amazing bit of eye candy, but it's a real shame that the game behind the pretty graphics just doesn't hold up.

Despite its lacking final moments, The Park makes the experience of searching a haunting, abandoned amusement park feel genuinely tense. This, rather than a specific plot point, is what sticks with you after you turn off the game and return to your normal, less disturbing reality.

MySims Racing doesn't shatter kart-racing conventions, but it has a couple of fun new ideas that set it apart from the pack.

This naval-centric strategy game merely treads water.

If you do enjoy straightforward, no-nonsense action, Rise of Sin Tzu delivers it in an appealing package and is one of the best 3D beat-'em-up action games you'll find.

Questionable design choices aside, the problem with almost every aspect of The Godfather II is simply that it feels unfinished.

NFL Head Coach 09 delivers a deep and immersive coaching experience, provided you can overlook the outdated gameplay engine and lackluster presentation.

It's a solid but unremarkable addition to the aging tactical shooter.

It never quite comes together in as compelling a fashion as others of its class. It's far from being poor and is certainly entertaining at times--it just lacks the originality and extra level of polish needed to provide a truly memorable gaming experience.

Die-hard fans of the series newcomers alike will find a lot to like in the game. But most anyone else would consider Earth 2150: Lost Souls to be essentially just a rehash.

There's really not very much to praise about Lupin the Third, due in no small part to some rather badly implemented enemy artificial intelligence, an equally unfortunate control scheme, and some generally lacking production values.

The direct single-ship controls feel much more like "Pirates!," and the new mechanics create some engaging battles. However, the new linear goal structure limits and oversimplifies Pirate Hunter's gameplay in a way that removes the free-ranging charm.

With its strong minigames and well-made platforming mechanics, Crash Bandicoot Purple is a good, solid choice for fans of the genre.

It attempts to deliver some simulation-styled thrills, but the driving physics and options simply aren't up to snuff when compared to other, better games. On the other side, the addition of brake assist turns the game into an overly simplified affair that reduces the gameplay to holding down the gas pedal and steering.

The title may say that this is a new beginning, but Spyro's latest adventure isn't much more than a collection of tired, overused platforming clichés.

The PlayStation 2 version of NHL 2K8 does little to impress.

Like the movie it's based on, Wall-E is accessible enough for kids to enjoy but offers enough depth for an older audience.

There are plenty of good trivia questions, but this is a flawed port of the classic board game.

There’s no amount of visual charm or dark humor in its violent deaths that make the effort of sticking with Felix the Reaper worth it. It’s a thoroughly enticing setting and premise that is misguided by puzzle mechanics that aren’t that aren't fun to play around with, and then fail to meaningfully build on their foundations in any way after that.

There are some really cool ideas at the heart of Resolutiion. You can sense the thought and care put into transposing philosophical thought into something that’s both playable and insightful. Unfortunately, the portion of the game that engages with those ideas is far too obscured and distant from the core story most players will see. It is still an interesting visual and, to a point, intellectual piece--wrestling with those ideas and their meaning can be its own reward. It's clear there's more to the experience, but so much of it is so out of reach, which diminishes Resolutiion’s impact.

This role-playing sequel's big world and seemingly countless quests make it easy to overlook its wrinkles.

Full Auto 2 is technically proficient, but almost every aspect of this car combat game's gameplay is messed up in one way or another.

There's really nothing legendary about most of the old arcade games found in Taito Legends 2.

Making your torturous, long trek across planets and galaxies to discover the key to the afterlife can be fascinating. It's a psychological examination of the human spirit and mind, and what we’re truly capable of when we can’t accept our losses. You have to spend several hours solving frustrating puzzles to see it through, but The Way’s poignant story is worth the occasional struggle.

This expansive arcade racer may be ambitious, but it doesn't nail all of the basics.

Namco Museum DS is a decent collection of arcade classics, but you'll have to turn your DS on its side to see them properly.

Interface issues and the limitations of the PSP take a toll on the otherwise impressive Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command.

The late Osamu "Astro Boy" Tezuka's storyline is arguably the best feature of Blood Will Tell, but the gameplay is certainly good enough to ensure that reaching the story's conclusion--which you will want to do--is a pleasure rather than a chore.

Disney's Meet the Robinsons is a fairly satisfying movie tie-in that borrows heavily from a number of classic adventure and action games.

Rayman Raving Rabbids is a fairly simple collection of minigames that manages to win you over largely on the merit of its personality.

Tecmo Bowl Throwback is a surprisingly enjoyable blast from the past.

The tennis is merely average, but the challenges and minigames in Sega Superstars Tennis are creatively done and a lot of fun.

The video game version of Order of the Phoenix captures none of the magic in the Harry Potter books or films.

This atmospheric journey through a lonely world remains captivating in spite of some glaring flaws.

Dewy's Adventure is too cute for adults and too frustrating for kids.

Cooking Mama is a cute, charming little cooking-themed minigame collection, but it lacks direction and depth.

It's a good enough story to keep you playing despite the game's many problems, and it eventually make you want to ignore these problems altogether.

A good game that has a few problems--which range from minor control issues to placement of challenge points--but none of them are substantial enough to ruin the overall experience.

A decent game to play alone and it's better with friends. It has enough different trivia questions to last you for some time, provided you don't sit and play through the game continuously for several hours on end.

Actually competing in a deadly chariot race is an intriguing concept for a game, but Circus Maximus doesn't manage to make the experience all that exciting.

The game is fun when you sit down with it, but two hours later you'll have seen everything there is to see.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River features realistic and challenging missions but is often hampered by poor AI and other frustrations.

City of Brass is a good dungeon crawler, with some of its best moments and mechanics derived from its rendition of an Arabian Nights theme.

There isn't another baseball game on the system that feels this authentic or puts so many aspects under the player's control.

So many of the games included here relied so heavily on custom arcade hardware that they lose much of their appeal in the translation.

MLB 2K8 is full of new ideas; unfortunately, it's also filled with technical problems.

This puzzler had potential, but a few stumbling blocks suck out much of the fun.

Like the mindless Hollywood blockbusters that it emulates, Turok features plenty of dinosaur-hunting action and not too much else.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment about Runaway: The Dream of the Turtle, though, is that there is probably a solid adventure buried under all the teen-girl posturing and awful dialogue.

Too many problems with bugs and artificial intelligence sink this promising and ambitious RTS.

Touch Detective returns with wacky new adventures and a fresh coat of paint, but the frustratingly esoteric puzzle design is the same as before.

This blend of vehicular combat and soccer is fun in short sessions, but it's too frustrating to offer much long-term appeal.

This brawler has good combat and solid content, but it lacks the refinement and razzle-dazzle to earn a title shot.

Faces of War proves that even something as formulaic as a World War II real-time strategy game can still go awry.

One of the deepest, most accurate simulations of the real sport to date, which is to say it simply isn't for everyone.

The game's mundane subject matter sometimes overwhelms the experience, since having to frequently rest, shower, and relieve yourself in the game is about as much fun as it sounds. But The Urbz nevertheless provides some surprising depth and lasting value.

While outstanding graphics can make a good game seem great, occasionally a game features gameplay so weak that even amazing graphics can't camouflage its flaws. Enter AquaNox, a game with far more flash than substance.

Difficulty has its place in platformers, but there are games where too much challenge can distract from the core conceit. A King’s Bird locks you in a hopeless cage when all you want to do is fly.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games proves that it's still worth having a party with these two gaming legends.

The original Galaga is an undisputed arcade classic, and this is a fairly faithful version of it.