The game is moving the Conflict series in the right direction with better level design and graphics. But at the same time, some of those levels can be a nightmare of retries and micromanagement because of the outrageous odds, limited saves, and weak teammate A.I.

XD is a decent enough effort, and it's certainly not a bad game, but considering how well crafted the handheld RPGs are, the unrealized potential and missed opportunities of XD become all the more apparent.

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.

The gameplay and locales aren't particularly exciting, yet the pacing is taut, and the story and acting are above par for a game.

Unfortunately, while the "big-picture" ideas manage to work, the game ends up being brought down by a number of annoying little details that make individual battles less fun than they might otherwise be.

Compared to the barebones, disappointing release that is "Death Jr.," Konami comes back with the rebound, offering players a solid title that's simple to play and enjoyable for gamers of all ages.

Heroes complements its solid controls, mission structure, and presentation with slightly above average graphics and some killer sound effects.

It has a few shortcomings, but the gameplay is smart and challenging. Down in Flames is also conveniently easy to jump into and out of when you want a quick bit of fun. Then again, it's so addictive that you'll probably be playing for a good, long time.

Every now and then, amidst the explosions, enemy fighters, and wispy clouds rolling by, you'd swear you were watching some CG re-creation on the History Channel. It's all pretty cool.

Maybe one day Frogger will get his chance to recapture his '80s video-game glory, but if Ancient Shadow is any indication, you can probably expect a new hit single from the Bee Gees first.

It's such a shame that Cold War is subject to crashes and often won't even load; otherwise, it would be worth a much stronger recommendation.

I usually give bonus points for original concepts, but Lost in Blue is just too flawed for that type of consideration, and doesn't come close to achieving its goal.

As a "my first graphic adventure," it works pretty well, with some unique puzzles and some interesting characters to get involved with. Veterans of the genre, however, will come away wanting more.

"GTA: Mexico" with B-level developer talent: The game Robert Rodriguez would have designed if his brain had been replaced by a satsuma: This is Smash TV in sombreros.

The backgrounds are bright, but often make it tough to see the arrows. I prefer the music video levels, where some decent-quality FMV accompanies the song. There aren't enough of them, though.

Aside from these minor quibbles and instances of tedium, the story progresses at a respectable clip, with plenty of twists and surprises to keep things interesting.

Barbarian Invasion isn't a must-have, but it definitely doesn't disappoint. It may not reinvent the original game, but it's certainly worth picking up for any Rome: Total War fan looking for some satisfying new challenges.

One of the best compilation discs on the store shelves.

As is usually the case with Ubisoft's games on Xbox Live, the netcode is solid, so you shouldn't see much lag.

Sure, some fans will question the exclusion of some of Capcom's other hit games (where's "Strider?"), but this is still a great place to start. For old-school gaming fans that spent all their free time and money at the arcades, this is an experience not to be missed.

Maybe one day Frogger will get his chance to recapture his '80s video-game glory, but if Ancient Shadow is any indication, you can probably expect a new hit single from the Bee Gees first.

Although the game doesn't bring a lot of new experiences to the table, it does do a great job of adding to the experience gamers enjoyed the first time around.

A very consistent, if occasionally flawed title. Fans of the Sly Cooper series are going to absolutely love this game.

Top Spin plays well, has some good online, and basically chokes in every other category.

Although there are a few problems with the Freestyle Superstar system, it's still one of the most innovative elements we've ever seen in an NBA game.

Hardcore simulation fans really need not apply due to the broken rebounding model. But if you want a lot of high-flying sizzle in your hoops game and you don't care about the other minutiae, then by all means pick it up.

This year's game clears up almost any blemishes that may have carried over through the years, and perfects the package in a way that blew my socks off.

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.