Provides just about everything that an action gamer could hope for, from thrilling boss fights to an epic storyline that sweeps through Greek mythology.

The defense upgrades bring a lot of welcome strategy to the game, and the new AI is simply superb. Its amazingly deep, well thought out franchise mode is the best I've ever seen, while the basic gameplay still can't be beat.

Even without the online multiplayer offered in the Playstation 2 version Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 is a near-perfect game.

When I peer down that rabbit hole, however, what is essentially a whole new game emerges.

Yes, Fallout 3 is a lot like Oblivion (with guns!), but it's a superior game in nearly every way, as it features a more engaging storyline, impeccable presentation, and hundreds of hours of addictive gameplay. While the jury is still out on whether or not hardcore Fallout enthusiasts will accept the game as part of the storied franchise, Fallout 3 is a must-have title for most RPG fans, as well as one of the finest games of this generation.

Now that we've finally played the PC version, I'm happy to report that it will be the definitive version of Arkham City... eventually.

Delivers an engrossing tale of identity, mortality and discovery in a bizarre, fantastic setting. Clearly, a great choice for those seeking to role-play and watch their character develop.

Its single-player game will rank among the best PC RPGs of all time and is sure to earn it fame. Power, however, is something it gives, rather than gets. More than any other game, Neverwinter Nights truly gives players power.

This action-adventure is so smart, so well-written, and delivered with such an obvious love for its source material, I daresay it is both the best licensed game ever made, and arguably the best game of its kind in our current console generation.

Masterfully blending some spectacular action sequences and a unique sense of humor with elements of stealth games, first-person shooters, graphic adventures and even RPGs, the end result is a title that tops the original in every way, and stands out even among 2002's amazing crop of PC action games.

The best portable Castlevania game yet created.

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.

The best RPG on the market. Its exceptional graphics and gameplay will keep you coming back.

The joy is in figuring out what kind of ninja you want to be. Mark of the Ninja gives you the tools to get the job done, and lets you run wild through levels with diverging paths, tons of secrets, and ways of slaughtering guards. As a result, that feeling of badassery I get upon pulling off a perfectly executed symphony of violence is a well-earned one.

Even lacking that [online] option, WE 8 stands as the best soccer game of all time. It looks fantastic and plays out of this world.

A deep, engrossing, RPG-platform amalgam that's also perfectly portable.

A brilliant action game from beginning to end, and is packed with so many amazing moments that it's my leading candidate for the best PC game of 2003, and there's a good argument to be made that's it's the best WWII shooter ever.

If you want to dig deep into Madden's highly touted franchise mode, there are some major holes that need to be filled before this portion of the game passes muster -- the game will not be truly complete until it's fixed.

The online shortcomings are annoying, yes, but very minor, and they are more than made up for by the amazing single-player content and local WiFi gameplay.

Fantastic narrative aside, the most important thing to know about AC2 is that it won't make you want to throw your controller through your TV like the first game did.

Its synthesis of control, design, graphics, and scores of real-world cars cannot be beat. Winning the war against "Gran Turismo" is not going to be done by a game that shamelessly apes it; PGR2 has its own style and own aims, and to my mind is the more appealing of the two.

It's deeper, has more flexibility, it's more engrossing, and it's even easier to modify and expand. But there's something else here as well, something that can't be measured. Sims 2 is simply a lot of fun.

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

Some may find the story too obtuse, while others might take the route of PC graphical snobbery, but rest assured that there is no other like Half-Life 2 for the Xbox, which has now become my all-time favorite title for the system, and a massively strong contender for the Xbox game of the year.

The overall depth and lasting appeal to be had in NCAA Football 2003 is unmatched by any game, on any platform, including its big NFL brother.

But just like Clover Studio's God Hand -- from which I'm convinced Kamiya took some pretty big inspiration -- it's a flawed-yet-brilliant masterpiece that deserves to be played in spite of several glaring weaknesses.

One of the absolute greatest games you will ever play. With gorgeous graphics, sounds, and environments it's easily one of the most aesthetically pleasing as well. The level and puzzle design is absolutely brilliant as well.

This is the Xbox 360's first "Halo"-style killer app, and it's one that we'll all be playing for a long time to come.