In spite of framerate drops, inconsistent online multiplayer, and other serious issues that weigh it down, there's little doubt that the five games in this package exude Valve's attention to detail and show off the developer's talent for making great titles.

These new elements seem to have been thrown in merely for the sake of being different, and the result is a confused mishmash of ideas that is more banal and frustrating than fresh or exciting.

A (mostly) pleasant surprise and a return to form. Considering how poorly the original trilogy aged (if you ask me), that's pretty... well, bananas.

I appreciated the places the story took me in the end, but the final series of boss fights not only felt forced into the game's plot, but also were so long and arduous that I wondered if I'd ever beat them at all.

If Call of Duty let you run free in the playground, then United Offensive keeps you on a short leash and yanks hard when you don't do things the right way.

In the end, Crash Mode really saves the game. The problems with translating the fast nature of racing to a small screen are nullified by the high fun factor involved with Crash Mode.

The gameplay feels as though it has mapped exceptionally well to the PS3's controller, unlike many other ports for the console. However, Rainbow Six has traditionally been a multiplayer-focused franchise, and it's here that the game disappoints.

Unlocking all the characters requires beating the single-player arcade mode no less than 16 times, a mind-numbing chore that borders on Super Smash Bros. levels of grind-ness.

I found myself eager for Hotline Miami to end before it did (after about eight hours) and had little desire to return to improve my scores.

Once you get past its unsightly graphics and need for a gamepad, you'll find that Indigo Prophecy is one of the more refreshing and unique titles released in years.

MvC3 tends to emphasize flash over substance... and that's totally cool, for some folks, as MvC3 is going to divide the fighting game audience, including series faithful. Some will like that it's more accessible (if a bit stripped down), while others will decry the dumbing-down of their favorite series and its lack of arcade sauce.

If you can bear some of the repetition in between missions, the missions themselves are a blast. The environment is among the most compelling ever put on a screen this year. And multiplayer is strong. Far Cry 2 may not live up to its full potential, but there's a lot here to enjoy regardless.

Speaking of puzzles, most in the episode are easy and you should have no problem finishing it in less than three hours. Another annoying case of "adventure game logic" rears its ugly head towards the end of the game, though: Lee appears to have the magical ability to fit a full-sized blowtorch and gas canister inside his back pocket and climb up a ladder unaided. In the real world, getting this contraption up the ladder would've been a puzzle in itself. For a franchise that depends on realism to sell the misery and horror of something so implausible as reanimated corpses, that disregard for authenticity is a step in the wrong direction.

If you can bear some of the repetition in between missions, the missions themselves are a blast. The environment is among the most compelling ever put on a screen this year. And multiplayer is strong.

If you can bear some of the repetition in between missions, the missions themselves are a blast. The environment is among the most compelling ever put on a screen this year. And multiplayer is strong. Far Cry 2 may not live up to its full potential, but there's a lot here to enjoy regardless.

Few games in recent years have been laugh-out-loud funny, but The Movies generates so much random silliness that - even when things are going wrong - you can still have a good time.

The minute-to-minute gameplay is tried and true, and when you factor in the long-tailed character progression, well, let's just say it's a wrap. Puzzle Quest's designers are certainly onto something here.

While Civilization Revolution does a great job of introducing the concept and gameplay of Sid Meier's classic PC series to the consoles, it falls just short of true greatness due to a lack of depth in the AI and multiplayer options.

MvC3 tends to emphasize flash over substance... and that's totally cool, for some folks, as MvC3 is going to divide the fighting game audience, including series faithful. Some will like that it's more accessible (if a bit stripped down), while others will decry the dumbing-down of their favorite series and its lack of arcade sauce.

PS2 online has all of the aforementioned flaws and is an overall nightmarish experience and should be avoided at all costs.

Crysis was a fantastic PC game, and Crysis Warhead serves up more content with the same visual genius. If you're hungry for more, it's hard to go wrong with the $30 price tag -- just don't expect anything revolutionary.

Elegant and beautiful and quirky, and shows (in multiplayer at least) flashes of undeniable brilliance. Unfortunately, also like Leonardo's gadgets, Rise of Legends never quite gets off the ground.

My biggest concerns, though, rest with how multiplayer is balanced. The heroes are simply far too powerful; in one game, three heroes utterly destroyed an entire enemy army. Things get even worse when playing with One Ring enabled.

For the right kind of player, the multiple endings, secret characters, extra bosses, and obscene potential for stats and damage (a Japanese strategy guide published a record of over two billion points) could provide a pleasurable diversion that can literally last hundreds of hours. It is, however, something that's definitely not for everyone.

People who play mostly single-player games and aren't interested in scenarios won't find much new stuff in Warlords. At the end of the day, the expansion pack brings some great new stuff to the table. We just wish Firaxis could have taken some chances and offered us more of it.

More importantly, the action at the game's heart is only so-so; it's competent in execution, but just doesn't seem terribly compelling to play through. It passes time, but it's not exciting or fun.

A disappointment. It completely breaks with the first game in everything but gameplay, and even that is sabotaged by annoying, repetitive level design.

The action get repetitive very quickly. The game really doesn't introduce any new gamplay mechanics once you learn how to roll and jump, and the levels are far from challenging. It's a solid game, but it feels like one that could have used a bit more attention paid to the gameplay.

The revamped GUI leads you brilliantly and "ergonomically" to the build chains you want to produce the goods you desire, without needing to constantly recourse to rollover tips or a game encyclopedia (although both are also available), and this just makes the whole experience pleasant and logical.

Anniversary is a great way to relive the original feel of Tomb Raider; just don't expect anything more.

The physics and graphics are better than they've ever been, but the AI, lack of features, and out-to-lunch rosters make it tough to globally recommend.

A disappointment. It completely breaks with the first game in everything but gameplay, and even that is sabotaged by annoying, repetitive level design.

The story isn't much to speak of, and the combat feels somewhat dated, but the gravity tricks and spirit abilities provide plenty of memorable moments, and the addition of the Death Walk keeps the game from succumbing to the frustrations that so many other shooters fall, well, prey to.

The PC version of Alan Wake includes the two mildly interesting special episodes that debuted on Xbox 360 post-release as DLC. Continuing from the end of the main game, these gritty episodes delve deeper into the psyche of Alan after his adventure in Bright Falls, but rehash themes and environments seen in the first six episodes. They're worth playing if you just can't get enough of Alan and the darkness swirling inside his noggin, just don't expect new environments or a clear resolution to the character's fate.

A disappointment. It completely breaks with the first game in everything but gameplay, and even that is sabotaged by annoying, repetitive level design.

Nintendogs is good, but after the novelty of the voice recognition wears off, there's just not a lot to do.

Offers no gameplay surprises, not enough challenge, and not enough replay value, but it's certainly prettier than most GBA platformers.

Nintendogs is good, but after the novelty of the voice recognition wears off, there's just not a lot to do.

It's not there yet (with this version), but we look forward to the elimination of players running through each other, balls landing perfectly in gloves, and a more simplified swing system.

On paper, it sounds brilliantly inventive. Nail-biting edge-of-your-seat conversation? That's practically unheard of in games. Unfortunately, L.A. Noire drops the ball.

Nintendogs is good, but after the novelty of the voice recognition wears off, there's just not a lot to do.

While last year's effort truly took my breath away, I can't shake the feeling that this year's effort is more of an engine tune up than a complete rebuild. It still remains the number one F1 game on the market, but that's more about the lack of any competition than the game pushing the boundaries of last year's winning entrant.

Warrior Within proves that it takes more than just good combat and platforming to make a great game. Bottom line: The Warrior Within simply didn't have enough "Prince of Persia."

It's certainly the best Harvest Moon game in recent years, and it really comes close to greatness -- if only it had been paced a little better, then everyone would be able to enjoy it.

Even though design decisions like these can be frustrating, it's not enough to really detract from just how damn charming Unwritten Tales is most of the time, especially when it has a cast of such likeable characters carrying the load. And for only $20 it's a good value for those looking to scratch their classic-adventure-game itch.

In many ways, it's a by-the-numbers RTS, but a solid one, with a few imaginative mechanics built into it.

Reality 2.0 marks a dramatic improvement in the pure "gameplay" portion of the game, and the storyline is certainly funny enough, but we'd love to see future episodes of the series have this level of interactivity with the kinds of incredible scripts we know that Telltale Games team is capable of producing.

A solid MMORPG, but feels like it's missing that special spark that will keep you hooked for weeks on end.

Comes off as an uneven experience, but one with plenty of invigorating moments that make the whole thing feel worth it.

It's far from revolutionary, but as a mélange of elements that have proven successful in other action/adventure games, it's certainly entertaining and gratifying on many levels.

An unexpected technical achievement for the GBA, but that doesn't make it a fun game -- it most decidedly is not a fun game.

TDU is a game for driving enthusiasts, tailor-made for those who take long drives through the countryside for leisure, and maybe even subscribe to Road & Track magazine...If driving is your passion, this is the game for you.

The new modding tools are an excellent addition to any homebrew RPG designer's bag of tricks and the single-player campaign is worth playing simply for the terrific story.

Doesn't change much of the [original's] formula, or the graphics, or anything really, but it does offer online play, some different courses, and some fun multiplayer party games.

An adequate introduction to online gaming for console players, but it’s definitely not the killer app Sony wanted the world to believe it was; it’s just a slightly above-average first/third-person shooter with an online component.

With its serviceable single-player game and a gem like the new Defend mode, Island Thunder is a tidy little bonus juuuust worth the price.

If you're wondering if it's worth picking up, consider yourself warned if you're a newcomer -- it's a tough nut to crack. If you've been a long-time fan, close this browser window and head to the store.

Multiplayer combat is quick and brutal, but straightforward and really nothing to get too excited about. It's really the single-player mode that shines here.

It's pretty irritating to play a sequel and face so many of the issues of the original, but Bloodshot's ability to take you into the terrifying world Monolith has crafted is astonishing.

The designers did attempt to break up the simplistic game play a bit by forcing Sonic and Blaze to stop and fight a handful of mechanical terrors every once in a while, but it doesn't really add much to the overall game.

Most of the gameplay aspects are solid, the graphics are beautiful, and the quest is long. However, the relative lack of narrative elements prevented me from truly enjoying the wonderfully bizarre world Atlus has created.

Command & Conquer 3 isn't a brilliant reinvention of the RTS game. It's dirt-farming and mediocre live-action cutscenes and tank rushes and screaming that the Mammoth Tank is unbalanced (it is), and that's where the fun lies.

The most painful realization will come to owners of "College Hoops 2K6," who will be hard-pressed to find a major improvement in the core game, outside of the roster update. It's hard to justify paying full price for such a similar game.

A handheld shooter that largely gets the job done, if the job is to mindlessly shoot, reload, and shoot again. It evokes the presentation of Resistance: Fall of Man effectively, save for the awful dialogue and voice acting.

The attention to detail (such as when Sam slowly reaches for his knife while approaching a foe) makes you forget that you're playing a game at times. It may not look quite as good as the Xbox, but it's still one of the prettiest GameCube games you'll see.

There's a lot of level grinding to get stats up, and while Neversoft has implemented challenges for all sorts of skill types, it's an experience that might prove too tedious for some. Also, the ergonomics of the 360 D-pad really work against this title.

The silver lining in all of this is that the game is kept compact, and To the Moon can be finished in a sitting or two, before it really wears out its welcome.

If the original game didn't originally hook you, Forged Alliance won't do much to bring you into the fold, but it's a must-have for those who spent 2007 fighting the Infinite War.

I can say, though, that Darksiders 2 plays really, really well on a decent PC, so what it lacks in fidelity it at least partially makes up for in smooth framerates.

Instead of a true stealth engine, you have awkward "hide spots" to accommodate the free roaming. Combat is either too easy or too hard, lacking the brilliance of a dedicated action title. And the free-roaming, bound as it is to mission objectives that would be fine in a more linear game, is just unsatisfying. Each element of the game is individually interesting, but as a whole the package feels incomplete and patchwork more than innovative.

Comes off as an uneven experience, but one with plenty of invigorating moments that make the whole thing feel worth it.

While Karnaaj Rally might not have the staying power of a truly classic game, it is plenty of fun in small doses -- playing it for 15 minutes at a time is fun.

With multiple squadrons to command individually or all at once, a thorough system for upgrading skills and equipment, and personality at every turn, Kingdom Under Fire strikes a great balance between mindless action and careful strategizing.

Unless you want a mega-dose of pink cotton candy, you'll likely be bored stiff.

A surprising number of serious bugs damage what is otherwise a highly addictive game.

The very soul of an annual update, this Tiger is all tweaks -- but none of these are new to the PS3 version, 360 fans. This was one title that really could have shown the power of the Sixaxis and the PS3, but fails. Instead, it's arguably worse than its current-gen versions and is no better than the competition on the 360.

Instead of a true stealth engine, you have awkward "hide spots" to accommodate the free roaming. Combat is either too easy or too hard, lacking the brilliance of a dedicated action title. And the free-roaming, bound as it is to mission objectives that would be fine in a more linear game, is just unsatisfying. Each element of the game is individually interesting, but as a whole the package feels incomplete and patchwork more than innovative.

Despite how oddly compelling I found many of the diversions found herein, I couldn't get too into this game's dated fighting mechanic.

Muramasa is frustrating because it's a game that should be great, but its compounded faults result in it merely being good. If you can overlook the repetitive combat and boring backtracking, then you'll get a kick out of slicing up ninjas and monsters for a few hours -- and you'll certainly like ogling one of the best looking titles on the Wii.

It does manage to be a solid RPG, but to get there, you have to grind through some monotonous stuff that really detracts from the game.

Its rubber-band AI is staggering in its cruelty.

Mirror's Edge isn't a terrible PC port by any means, but has some unique technical issues that put it a step below the console versions.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 is an impressive new direction for the franchise, as it features a way for players to become directly involved with the other side of professional wrestling: the storylines. Sadly, I've been unable to find a playable match online, thanks to severe latency issues.

Despite how oddly compelling I found many of the diversions found herein, I couldn't get too into this game's dated fighting mechanic.

There's a core game here that could've been very enjoyable had it been paced a little better.

[It's] not going to compete with the likes of Zelda or "Breath of Fire." It does, however, provide a friendly role-playing experience with familiar characters in a setting that is easy to navigate.

There's lots of tension, and brief bursts of action, but completing a mission is not so much dependent on tactics as it is on your teammates having much faster, more "aware", and more accurate aiming AI than the enemy. Thankfully, they do.

Gods & Kings is Civilization V with a few new things to do, and a lot of new civs and units. Does that disappoint you, or excite you? Then you have your review.

Does your fighting game have to have serviceable online play? If not, you got yourself a winner here.

A truly mediocre strategy game with a lackluster campaign.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 is an impressive new direction for the franchise, as it features a way for players to become directly involved with the other side of professional wrestling: the storylines. Sadly, I've been unable to find a playable match online, thanks to severe latency issues.

It's definitely a solid title that offers fine gameplay and excellent replay value, but outside of the online play -- which is pretty barebones -- it isn't too much of an advancement over its predecessor.

One of the best-made games you can get on your PSP, far better than a simple port of an arcade game, yet hindered quite significantly by the handheld's design flaws.

It's pretty irritating to play a sequel and face so many of the issues of the original, but Bloodshot's ability to take you into the terrifying world Monolith has crafted is astonishing.

I've been reviewing PC games since 1999 and playing them since the late 1980s, and this is the first time I've had to jump through this many hoops to get a single game going.

There were many times when I wanted to just quit and never play it again. Don't get me wrong, it's not a horrible game; it's just nowhere near as polished as [both "Medal of Honor: Allied Assault" and "Call of Duty"].

Most of the mini-games are surprisingly skill-based, and even Wii Sports haters should find something to enjoy. I definitely did.

The display method the game uses looks bad and the extras are a bit underwhelming. It's a good collection, but those shortcomings bring it down a bit.