When it comes carnage, Rune doesn't skimp. The game ships with the disclaimer that it's "not a game for the meek, slow or anyone under 17 years old." This is not an understatement.

It's simple enough to pick up and play for a couple of minutes, but engaging enough to keep you enthralled through a long commute or on a cross-country flight.

As a real-time strategy game, EndWar is an intimate and deeply nuanced experience.

Bully is a game that transcends the technical limitations of its programming, achieving despite its flaws in ways that few games have dared to try.

I've never played anything quite like it, and I think I'm ready to retire my DDR dance pads permanently, because this is the real revolution.

With high frame rates that won't quit, 52 stages set across eight different countries, an impressive array of environmental effects, multiplayer options in every mode, and all of the strengths of past installments of this series, Colin McRae Rally 04 is a worthwhile pick for any avid Xbox racing enthusiast.

Amazingly, this rally racer also happens to be the best-looking game on the Xbox. The car models are bleeding-edge realistic, with licensed decals and aftermarket streamlining. The collection of tracks is wildly diverse, with feet in nearly every continent.

While it's not without its flaws, Fight Night Round 4 is still one of the most entertaining games of the year, no matter what gaming category you think it belongs in.

Even if you aren't interested in the story, Extraction is still one of the best-looking and most fun action games on the Wii.

It's one of the best platformers the system has seen, mostly thanks to its amazing visuals and downright hilarious dialogue.

Minor complaints aside, Uncharted 2 is the single best PS3-exclusive title to date. I love the voice acting and characters, and I can honestly say that the multiplayer is something I see myself returning to again and again.

If you love, like, or are even lukewarm on the band, grab it. Playing through the songs you've likely heard for your entire life gives you a new appreciation for the level of musicianship and songwriting on display. Somehow, Harmonix found a way to make the greatest band of all time even better.

The developers at Ubisoft have taken a great game and made it better, from the single player mode all the way through the multiplayer action.

The Metroid Prime series was pretty fantastic on its own, and now that all three titles have been brought together with some much-appreciated control improvements, it's one of the best titles (and certainly one of the best values) on the Wii. The new controls really do provide a good excuse for fans to double-dip.

It's a near-perfect port of a killer game. In fact, I'd go on a limb and say that The Warriors is that console generation's best pure brawler.

Just like in real life, Tiger continues to impress.

Very fun and very funny; it deftly satirizes "Grand Theft Auto" while being almost as entertaining -- and it even bests GTA with its instant mission restarts, superior in-game navigation, and more easily accessible collection of vehicles.

Diehards will love the reduced emphasis on checking, while more casual fans should enjoy the new skill stick moves and the ability to place your shot wherever you please. Best of all, every rule change has made it into the game.

If you're a fan of action games, then Ninja Gaiden II is an absolute must-have. The gameplay mechanics are phenomenally satisfying, and mastering Ryu's diverse weapon sets can easily entertain you through multiple play-throughs, giving this strictly single-player experience an extended life.

It's painful to see that the ultra-cool face-mapping and online eight-player multiplayer game is absent from the final Xbox package. However, THUG for the Xbox remains one of the best games you'll play this year.

Even if you've never played any of the DOOM titles, if you like first-person shooters and you own a Game Boy Advance, DOOM II is an absolute must-have game.

Ine of the most unique, funny and satisfying games of 2007, and we can't wait until Valve produces more of it.

It's at once entirely expected and a crying shame that this game won't catch on in the same way that, say, Street Fighter IV did, as BlazBlue packs what may be the best online play ever seen in a 2D fighting game (it is -- at worst -- neck-and-neck with the amazing Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix in this category, though the option to replay ranked matches certainly gives it a tantalizing edge).

About my only complaint is that it's over too soon -- just an hour, without mistakes...It's unmisssable for anyone who wants to take a space-age vacation from the typical.

A combination of solid Zelda-style gameplay and cinematic excellence push Beyond Good & Evil into the upper echelons of action / adventure games. This is what an interactive movie should be.

Crysis 2's shiny graphics are nice and all, but the Nanosuit is the true star of the show. Offering a true sense of power rarely seen in modern shooters, it helps to make this one of the most exciting games of the year.

Sporting slightly more impressive graphics than either the 360 or PS3 versions (mostly due to the superior definition of higher-end LCD displays combined with flashy video cards), the PC version of Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 could be the best version of the game.

The controls feel a bit antiquated now that we've been acclimated to the Skill Stick, but it's an excellent way to introduce your non-sports game loving friends to one of the best sports titles in years.

Crysis 2's shiny graphics are nice and all, but the Nanosuit is the true star of the show. Offering a true sense of power rarely seen in modern shooters, it helps to make this one of the most exciting games of the year.

It's a huge improvement over the first title in nearly every area. In fact, it nearly makes the first game obsolete.

The new title combines strong platforming fundamentals, Assassin's Creed's open-world structure, and some of Okami's wonderful aesthetic flourishes. What it introduces to action games is something truly wonderful. Since the Prince can't die, the pace and rhythm of gameplay is never lost, yet it still offers a challenge even for hardcore gamers.

A massive improvement over the original in pretty much every way imaginable: music, graphics, interface, customization options, and difficulty level. It's also a fantastic strategy game, and probably one of the last great GBA titles that will be released in the West.

Even without a high level of graphics pleasure, Forza is still better than "Gran Turismo 4." Why? How about incredible online play, solid AI and a realistic damage model? That's in addition to hundreds of cars, impeccable control and a career mode deep enough to rival your local bottomless well.

One of the coolest things about this game is the fact that it doesn't take itself very seriously. The sense of humor manifests in a bunch of ways, not the least of which are the whacked-out in-game TV shows that play out in parallel to the game's own story.

Its kiddy facade hides some terrifically fun gameplay with a lot of meat on its bones.

Drawing its strength from such greats as Thief, BioShock, Batman: Arkham City, and Portal, Arkane Studios' latest manages to deliver that magical formula of intimately familiar and refreshingly new. It doesn't shine as brightly as it should on PC, and it might not offer the challenge stealth-action fans are used to, but it's an impressive accomplishment that immediately stands out as one of the best things we've seen this year.

The overall "feel" of the multiplayer game is terrific and the basic gameplay paradigm works to create a game that's deep, rich and thoroughly satisfying. Combined with a fun and very different-playing single-player component, this is a game that's well worth a look by any strategy fan looking for something fun that breaks the RTS genre's straitjacket.

The people that made the game really want you to feel like you're chosen by destiny, fated to be a hero; and they've put a lot of effort into it. Being completely solid doesn't hurt, of course.

Although Oblivion's playability hasn't been improved, Shivering Isles storytelling and artistry simply soar beyond anything else the Elder Scrolls team has done.

But for $40, you're getting much, much more than your money's worth. Any PSP gamer with even a passing interest in music creation should absolutely take Traxxpad for a spin.

On a very meaningful level, it gives complete newcomers access to the most exciting aspect of the game right out of the box. And should those players decide to sample everything that it has to offer, they will not be disappointed.

If you enjoy your stories ripping and your RTSs simple but smart, Codename: Panzers Phase Two is probably for you.

This game delivers where it needs to, offering the most realistic NBA experience to date. Heck, even free-throw shooting means memorizing the shooting styles of different NBA players (a feature we really like, by the way).

It's certainly not the bar-raiser that "Modern Combat" was, especially in the solo campaigns. But with the new co-op play and the rest of the multiplayer content, World of War turns out to be an extremely entertaining and faithful addition to the Call of Duty family.

It's simultaneously innovative and derivative, and it's a game, I suspect, that gamers will either love or hate, with little space in between.

While EA's series definitely has its strong points, ESPN NBA 2K5 has better graphics, AI, and that highly addictive 24-7 mode.

It's telling of how ravenously the most devoted WoW players inhale content that level 80 Death Knights fishing for instance runs are commonplace at this point, less than two weeks after Wrath's launch.

While the game isn't a construction of godly perfection, it is pure, raw fun that may eclipse the first two, depending on whether you'll miss the adventure elements or the less ostentatious presentation of the first game. I, for one, did not.

It gives you tasty side dishes of RPG and adventure gaming to go along with the action genre. Add on top of all that the excellent production values, impressive voice acting, tight script, bonuses like Commentary Mode, and a reduced price.

Represents the very pinnacle of PS2 racing games and lord only knows how long we'll have to wait for the next installment. Get it, race it and love it... One of the most comprehensive games of the last four years.

Aside from minor framerate niggles, DUB is one of the finest racers to hit the market in recent memory, and it's certainly the king of the tuner racer scene, without a doubt.

There's something very satisfying about playing Taiko Drum Master. That something is spending the entire game hitting things. And creating sweet, sweet music, of course, but the feeling of bringing those plastic drumsticks down on the taiko controller is something that you don't normally get from a home video game.

Virtua Tennis 3 is fine fun for even the uninitiated. Not only did I have a good time playing through the cornucopia of kooky minigames, but I also came out with a firmer knowledge and appreciation for tennis itself.

To play America's Army is like slipping into a fascinating experiment. As players come and go, you're witness to riveting displays of heroism and cowardice, brilliant tactical bluffs, and awesomely awful blunders.

All in all, Agents of Change delivers, giving Brink fans more of what they want, while adding abilities that offer fresh gameplay strategies -- no matter what the map. Bethesda apologized for Brink's launch issues with this robust, free add-on. Apology accepted!

It's harder than most, but the feeling of elation when you finally work those punk-ass CPU roadsters into submission is legendary. Rockstar's latest above-the-law offering is excellent.

While EA's series definitely has its strong points, ESPN NBA 2K5 has better graphics, AI, and that highly addictive 24-7 mode.

Not only is it the most attractive golf game ever to be released, it also features some revolutionary gameplay ideas that will likely be copied for years to come.

While the EA game is solid, it just doesn't stack up with 2K6.

It's endlessly addictive, and thanks to its design, it'll be a long time before you run out of things to do in it. Thanks to the brilliant translation, it's also one of the funniest games that I've playing in some time.

With its intuitive, intense gameplay and rich atmosphere, Secret Weapons Over Normandy is the best flight-action game for the PlayStation 2.

A startlingly modern experience, one that marries unparalleled aesthetic design with motion controls that actually matter, resulting in a one-of-a-kind trip that promises to stick with you long after you've liberated Lumi.

It's all about balance, you see. And pacing. And A Crack in Time does as good a job of maintaining both as any Ratchet game we've seen in years.

I can't help but admire the beauty and power crammed into this game. Aside from a few minor online quibbles, you'd be hard pressed to find a better, enjoyable racing game to dig into this holiday season.

The whole rival presentation really gets your blood boiling for revenge, and this is where Revenge on 360 really shines through.

If "wacky," "quirky," or "freaking bizarre" turn you off, you may not pick up what this game is laying down, but unless you have something against having fun, you really ought to try.

It's easy to get into, the combat rocks, and it's a blast to play with friends.

One excellent thing about the single-player campaign is that there is no penalty for death. You just get set back at the nearest checkpoint.

Though I still don't know what a perfect game of DX looks like, the fact that I'm still glued to it (despite -- at this point -- finishing what I estimate to be maybe one actual five-minute game in any given hour) should give you a pretty clear idea of how I feel about it.

If you want arcade style racing complete with high-speed corner bending, annoyingly foppish announcers and the most fun driving you can have without smashing the other guy off the road... then you want to pick up Ridge Racer 6.

Out of the Park Baseball 4 is such a great online game that I can't stop singing its praises to anyone who will listen.

Simply the best action football game available for any system.

While Dawn of War doesn't break any new ground for the RTS genre, it is, nonetheless, a supremely polished and well-balanced example of it, a credit to both the development team, and a laurel wreath for the license it bears.

Rogue Galaxy's greatest triumph, the brightest gleam in its eye, is that at sixty hours of play I've got another sixty I could easily pour in.

Unquestionably, one of the best shooters of 2005. The advanced graphics and physics create a string of firefights that are amazing to watch, and creative level design and advanced AI make them equally engrossing to play.

It's kind of like DICE has trained for a game development biathlon, resulting in its first game where the single-player mode is just as good as the multiplayer -- and that says DICE has what it takes to be among the best in the business.

With its epic storylines, hundreds of combat scenarios, and open-ended structure, Gladius is one of the deepest games of the year. If you play strategy/RPGs because you're an anime fan, Gladius will bore you; if you play them because they're fun, Gladius will obsess you.

There's only one major new technique, which might be disappointing to some fans of the series.

The lack of an Elimination mode constricts the variety of gameplay and no additional skin-editing functions is irksome, but these issues don't prevent WipEout HD from doing what the franchise does best: go really, really fast.

THAW for Xbox 360 is a phenomenal game...if you haven't picked it up already.

Undisputed includes all the main MMA disciplines and fighters, along with a career mode that I can't stop playing. That's enough to keep even the most critical fans happy.

If you cut your teeth on, say, Telltale's various Sam & Max or Strong Bad series, you're about to find out exactly what a hardcore adventure game plays like.

Like peanut butter and chocolate, the combination of classic puzzle gameplay and RPG game mechanics results in something greater than the sum of its parts.

There's very little in Bowser's Inside Story to not like. It's great to look at, the interaction between the "inside" and "outside" worlds is well thought-out, the mini-games and interactive battles are always a treat to play, and it's probably the funniest Mario & Luigi game yet.

If you have friends who enjoy videogames, this is one to play together. It's made specifically for that -- and yeah, it's got all the painstaking collectibles and supplemental multiplayer challenges you already assumed it did, so you're going to play it for quite a while. And if you just want a serious challenge, play alone and revel in the pure joy of death. Either way, it's a damn fine Mario game.

That these additions make the experience deeper and richer and way more fun can be considered nothing less than a "Wonder."

One of the best strategy games released this year.

The Witcher simply works -- its refreshing setting, engaging combat and potion system, and long, well-conceived campaign is a recipe for single-player greatness. It's the kind of game that actually makes you want to track down some of Sapkowski's stories to learn more about this refreshingly bleak world.

One of the year's best, because it diverts from "GTA's" hyper-violent barrage of social satire and genital jokes to be something more subtle, but equally meaningful. Young people might not appreciate it as much because they're still living it. For that reason, don't buy Bully for your younger relatives. Buy it for yourself.

Its kiddy facade hides some terrifically fun gameplay with a lot of meat on its bones.

I can't remember the last time I played a game in which I wondered whether something could be done, and nine times out of ten it actually could be, whether it's calling in an airstrike on a lone soldier or jacking a helicopter from the sky. Blowing stuff has never been this fun, or this satisfying.

Ultimately, whether or not you enjoy Fallout: New Vegas depends on your tolerance for handling bugs. Personally, I didn't find them distracting enough to ruin the experience for me, and a few crashes over the course of 80+ hours felt like a small price to pay for one of my favorite games of the year.

With levels that build on each other in terms of complexity (and, thusly, difficulty), the game inspires that kind of "just one more level" feeling of addiction that may result in you freeing Dan from his insomnia but earning yourself a nasty case in return.

Cataclysm effortlessly mixes the casual focus of Wrath of the Lich King with the decidedly more challenging endgame prospects of classic WoW.

If you're looking for a deep racing Sim with a community of opponents ready to go 24 hours a day, this is your game. It's easy on the eyes and a blast to play.

After logging over a hundred hours on Dragon Age: Origins, I still want to continue playing. I want to unearth more of its secrets, to better know its characters, to see how the decisions I make can impact its world, and yes, to see more of its endings. I can't think of a better recommendation than that.

It feels funny to say this about a 13-year-old developer with a portfolio of work that includes Half-Life and Counter-Strike expansions, stellar squad-based WWII shooter franchise Brothers in Arms, and the original Borderlands, but with Borderlands 2, Gearbox has arrived as a real blockbuster studio. Right from the toe-tapping "Short Change Hero" opening cinematic, Borderlands 2 stands out as Gearbox's magnum opus, and one of the most memorable and fun gaming rides I've ever been on.

This game delivers where it needs to, offering the most realistic NBA experience to date. Heck, even free-throw shooting means memorizing the shooting styles of different NBA players (a feature we really like, by the way).