The most imaginative and engaging action-sports title in quite some time... It's an adrenaline-charged blast that shouldn't be missed.

The single-player game is too easy and the multiplayer game is too impractical. If Square had found a way to balance the multiplayer gaming, this would have been a fantastic title.

Best suited for high-level characters that like to use every power at their disposal -- and that's where the expansion shines.

From the roster of PGA pros in here, to the venerable and exciting new courses (Bandon Dunes and the Prince Course at Kauai), there's a lot to get excited about. Perhaps most exciting, however, is the new true aiming system implemented for Tiger Woods 07.

It's a natural fit for online multiplayer, user-created content, and downloadable trivia packs.

It's odd to see as many steps back -- smaller roster, no Cruiserweight or Tag Team titles, no backstage -- as there are steps forward -- Internet, voiceovers, heel/face discrepancy.

The intense gameplay makes it one of the best strategy games we've played this year.

An amazingly fun gaming experience that will completely absorb you, whether you're laughing at the bizarre humor or screaming in frustrated rage.

For every innovative new feature, there's a gameplay gaffe or design flaw that drags it down; it's certainly better than last year's hyperactive NBA Live 2003, but it's still a year away from being something truly special.

The best arcade-baseball game on the market, but there's still room for improvement.

It took me just under 8 hours to complete 90% of the game, and it's not a terrible stretch to imagine someone rushing through it in 5 or 6. It's a good sign for a game when players want more, and it's further proof that the Tomb Raider series is back in a big way.

During its best moments, it's certainly one of the most exciting and engrossing games I've played in a long time. It's just unfortunate that the apparent cut corners take the wind out of its sails sometimes.

While Titan Quest is still a pretty shameless clone of the "Diablo II" formula, it's a pretty good one, and this new expansion is one of those smart ones that add new content both for high-level and newer players. It might not feel wholly original, but it's a fine pastiche of comfortable formula fare.

There's tons of content in the form of characters, powers, stats, and unlockable treats, and the action -- especially during the boss fights -- is usually satisfying. It can be a bit too linear and the clumsy keyboard/mouse setup detracts from the PC version a bit, but otherwise, it's uncannily good.

It's might not be the best role-playing or real-time strategy game on the market, but when combined, it makes for something surprisingly special.

Offers an extremely solid competitor to "Chessmaster," and the best training of any chess game yet.

The PS2 version isn't as pretty, but it controls better, while the Xbox version is substantially more beautiful to look at. Either way, though, it's a solid game.

There are enough gameplay modes available here to appeal to any basketball fan, whether it be the competitive head-to-head fan, the franchise-loving simulation freak, or even those who can't get enough over-the-top streetball action.

If you own the very similar Moto GP 3 you may resent coughing up cash for an incremental improvement (keep in mind the game retail for 60 bucks), but serious sim-racing fans that can overlook the minor technical issues will find a highly rewarding racing game with depth, a lot of options, and plenty of potential competition.

The content in the new expansion is awesome, but it only makes us wish they'd spent that energy bringing us "Asheron's Call 2" starting from a clean slate.

WildTangent deserves a huge amount of praise for delivering a remarkably addictive dungeon crawl, and at a mere $20, it's a fate anyone who enjoyed the solo portion of Diablo shouldn't hesitate to meet.

Perhaps the best compliment that one can pay to LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga is that it feels like you're playing with a living LEGO playset.

A surprisingly deep and challenging game. The different styles of play keep things fresh and the graphics are great.

Though the Xbox version of the game doesn't have all the newer features of the latest PlayStation 2 version, it boasts the largest song list of any game in the series, downloadable content, and more diverse control options.

Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate's Booty gets Borderlands 2's four planned DLC expansions off to a very good start, and it's well worth the asking price. I just hope there's another Handsome Jack on Pandora somewhere, twisting his mustache while plotting his grand DLC entrance.

Prologue will definitely scratch the itch for GT fans waiting to get their hands on next-gen racing, but the disc suffers from an overly short single-player game and the same problems -- the ability to drive recklessly and the lack of damage -- that have dogged the series for a while. Online the game is a real treat, though.

It's a game that asks a lot up front, but offers some incredibly rewarding moments for those who are willing to stick around. Be patient and just take it all in -- you won't be disappointed.

As a whole, I couldn't ask for much more with MX Unleashed. A few more challenges in Freestyle would be nice, but this really is the total package for race games -- which is no surprise, coming from Rainbow.

Too bad money is so ridiculously easy to accrue that Fable III's silly shift into a morality tale about the burden of the crown falls flat.

Maybe not all of the ideas came together properly, but at the end of the day it's a fresh and interesting game. Hopefully, Liquid will get a chance to perfect the formula in a sequel.

Sure, the 3D remake's a bit lukewarm, but that's only the appetizer. The main course? Two of the greatest exercises in virtual vampire slaying the world has yet seen. We'll pay $30 for that, no problem.

At $20 a la carte or bundled for cheap with other Valve products, anyone who enjoys this kind of game should easily get his money's worth.

Dancing and singing simply takes too much coordination, and the steps aren't timed well enough with the music to make them feel as natural as they should've.

The ground it treads is hardly innovative, and the grind is intolerable. Clan play helps to skirt these issues, but in general, World of Tanks is a dull slog to be enjoyed solely between rounds of other, more interesting games. Vision slit.

If you go in with the idea that Bloodlines is a hybrid FPS / RPG, you're going to be dramatically disappointed. On the other hand, if you're looking for one of the best role-playing game experiences of this year, then you should really look into Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines.

Easily the best motocross game I've ever played, and it's the first one I'd recommend to people who aren't the least bit fans of the sport.

Long-time fans of the KOF series may feel a bit cheated by the lack of a voice announcer and background animations.

The Duke Kahanamoku of surfing video games. Yes, that's good.

Despite a few lags and slowdowns, the multiplayer action is always involving, and it gets pretty challenging when you're playing against a bunch of other humans. If you've got an Xbox Live account, you owe it to yourself to give Battlefront a try.

For a standalone expansion pack, Retribution does pretty much everything right; it has a ton of content, and it makes that content more accessible and more fun than it was in DoW2, although it's still probably not going to appeal to gamers who are fans of a more traditional, gather-build-rush RTS formula.

Dead Rising 2's replayability is a testament to the fully realized burg that is Fortune City. I want to meet more nutjob Psychopaths; I want to try more games of chance scattered around the casinos; I want to spend an afternoon shirking my in-game responsibilities to create new tools of destruction with my hard-earned Combo Cards.

What it boils down to is that if your TV has 1080p support and you don't mind the absence of online support, the PlayStation 3 version is the way to go. However, if you tend to run things in 720p, and you want to check out some decent online play, the Xbox 360 version wins out.

The challenges, environments, and cast of baddies are varied enough to prevent this game from ever seeming tedious. And, when you reach the final destination on a level, the amusing victory dance makes it all seem worthwhile.

By moving the game to the PSP, EA managed to keep most of the console experience intact and give gamers a robust basketball experience that fits nicely in the palm of their hands. If you're a fan of the game, this is by far the best portable experience you'll find to date.

What it boils down to is that if your TV has 1080p support and you don't mind the absence of online support, the PlayStation 3 version is the way to go. However, if you tend to run things in 720p, and you want to check out some decent online play, the Xbox 360 version wins out.

A perfect fit for the Nintendo Wii. If you've played the DS title, then you need to play this too. If you haven't, then don't do your new Wii the disservice of ignoring TCSO. It's a refreshingly original game that'll give you a ride well worth taking.

Pales in comparison to the beloved PC games. On its own, however, the game is an enjoyable, if unspectacular, first-person shooter.

The PS2 version isn't as pretty, but it controls better, while the Xbox version is substantially more beautiful to look at. Either way, though, it's a solid game.

Since just about every trail is unlocked from the beginning, you won't get to feel the satisfaction of making your way to a new mountain (one of the best parts of "SSX 3") and exploring it for the first time.

The production values for Frontline are way up there, and with great voice acting, cool FMV cutscenes, and more atmosphere than most other FPS titles, the game is a winner for WWII action fans and newbies alike.

I strongly urge you to pick up the Xbox 360 version. It's more polished, better-looking, runs better, and offers a superior online experience thanks to voice support and more servers and players. The PS3 version is still fun, but the experience is dulled by noticeable slowdown and muddier graphics.

Both visceral and visually astounding, WotM is a smashing good time.

Challenging, immersive, and highly playable.

One big disappointment is that the roster download option that was included in the Xbox and PS2 versions didn't make the final cut here.

As the series gears up for its conclusion, in which even formerly "safe" characters' fates will be up for grabs, Episode 4's cliffhanger ending sets a new tone of urgency. At this point, I won't even hazard a guess as to what's around the next corner for our survivors, but don't count on a happy ending.

Just like in real life, Tiger continues to impress.

Broken Destiny's lackluster single-player game makes it a difficult game to unconditionally recommend. It's certainly a technical marvel, and if you have friends to play with, you'll love it. It really is a portable Soulcalibur game, with everything good that implies. But if you're fighting solo, be aware that this game isn't really designed for extended play.

Beats "Tiger 2004" in exactly two respects: prettier graphics and Live support. Every other category goes to Tiger in a Governor Ahnold-esque landslide.

While Spider-Man 2 has some issues, nearly everything is outweighed by the fantastic web-slinging and the huge city environment.

Lock's Quest provides a familiar experience that at the same time feels so distinct and unique that you'd be hard pressed to find something similar to it on the DS.

It's true that F1 2012 will never compete with iRacing for hardcore driving realism and authenticity, but it doesn't need to. It's a lovingly rendered and refreshingly accessible game that gives racing fans of all backgrounds a prime seat in the world's fastest and most exhilarating form of motorsport.

While it's undeniable that the age of the engine is showing (the flaws of the counter-reversal system in comparison to other wrestling titles really shows itself during online multiplayer), it's still a solid game to play.

There isn't one big problem that keeps this game from becoming truly exceptional; instead, it's a collection of small issues that will likely cause a few moments of frustration and anger.

Even if it's not quite as technologically advanced as its HD cousins, the Wii version of Rock Band is another great addition to the console's lineup of social games.

Another fantastic LEGO game. LEGO Batman is simple enough for kids to mash their way through, but addicting and deep enough to hold the interest of their parents, and the rare game perfect for them to play together.

The game takes ample advantage of the DS' touch screen for some of the characters' unique skills, but fortunately it doesn't force you to use them.

A great RPG with an unorthodox design. There are amazing design elements here. The art and sound direction are unmistakably original, amplifying what could be the game's best asset -- an incredibly active and technical battle system. There's a lot to like, but at times the game is bolder than it is balanced or practical.

An excellent alternative to the other baseball games on the market, especially friendly to those who aren't very keen on sports but who may enjoy the strategic options that the game offers up.

It's the closest thing we've seen to an HD-gen "Silent Hill," except that in The Darkness you get to play as that venerable franchise's ultimate evil monstrosity, Pyramid Head, clothed in the flesh of a mafia hit man.

I think the biggest "revelation" to come out of this most recent Assassin's Creed title is that the series has reached a burnout state. I hope the team takes a break and gets back to the drawing board to analyze how the series itself can move forward, and to be innovative again, rather than being hard pressed to meet a release date.

It combines clever missions, interesting character abilities, and a smidgen of resource management into an absorbing game that fans of the strategy will be playing for quite some time.

"Rallisport Challenge" may have the game beat in terms of multiplayer and graphics, but WRC PS2 gives a better representation of rally racing in the real world.

So much of what makes this game cool is lost in translation to a less potent platform. If the PS2 is your lone system, you'll still have a good time, but may be left wondering what all the hype was about.

With solid action, great graphics and lots of replay value, SoF2 is easily one of the best action games of the year.

It's got a nice open-ended style, a character that fits the gimmick, and plenty of violence.

Fun right out of the tiny box, Baseball Advance is more enjoyable than most offerings on actual consoles.

Mass Media has done a sterling job with the port, and if you can get past the slightly dated visuals, you'll find the heart of the stylish, carnage-filled ride beating away underneath.

The action is intense and the missions are just enough extra. Give me a little smarter targeting, some NPC allies every now and then, a little less stealth, and I may be willing to award this game's sequel with a medal of its own.

This is by far the most creative Xbox launch game, but it suffers from repetitiveness and unresponsive controls. Still, it will clearly appeal to platform-game aficionados.

An excellent racing game, with tight control and great AI that transcends its gimmicky "storyline" angle.

The best surfing game to date, with energetic play, a strong audio-visual presentation, and design mechanics.

It does a decent job of holding its own against other Bond games from the past.

Battle of the Nations is a phenomenal way to stoke the nationalistic fire of the competition in gamers around the world, but it's shutting down the day after the tournament.

With its well-designed levels, fluid pacing, and hyper-violent combat in eerie locales, The Suffering is a fun way to safely tap into your dark side.

TMU is a fine diversion for quick game breaks, but not much more. In a way, it's like popcorn, enough to be a snack or even an appetizer, but you won't get a full meal out of it.

Ad Hoc games ran particularly smooth, but the Infrastructure games had the occasional hiccup or two. In these games, lag would occasionally cause my batter to swing late (if at all).

Pales in comparison to the beloved PC games. On its own, however, the game is an enjoyable, if unspectacular, first-person shooter.

If you can say that you're looking forward to having ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a week than this might be a great title for you. Other than that very particular market, it's tough to see Galaxies being worth the recommended price.

Wii Fit won't replace your favorite videogames, but it may become an activity you'll want to do for a few minutes in the morning before school or work.

It was very addictive in its deceptive simplicity; just when I thought I had figured out the formula for success, the AI would show me up with something else. It's not a hard game, but it is a challenge.

Universally better than the original game while adding enough stuff to keep it from being just an interface upgrade.

The included historical background is fantastic, if for no other reason than to show just how much research the developers did into recreating this particular battle.

There is about 30 hours of play contained within Dark Cloud, but the title does not contain the type of epic storyline needed to drive the player through those hours.

Another notable absence is weapons. You heard me right: No weapons!... A wrestling game without steel chairs is like Maxim magazine without the cover girl.

Whenever you add a new race into an already established game, the question of game balance becomes an important issue. Rise of the Elves does an excellent job in this regard, as the Elf retinue is not overly powerful nor are they fodder for the other four races.

It's hard to get the most out of it with an Xbox pad. Neither the original pad or the Controller S is well-suited to hosting a six-button fighter.

The main problem with Amped 2 is its controls...In practice, most players will find it difficult to learn at best and frustrating at worse.

The Dynasty Mode is one of the best you'll see in an EA game, mostly because of the addition of the discipline system, which forces you to walk a fine line between getting the best players and running a clean program.