Starfield Shattered Space is a solid expansion that presents lots of choices and exploration, but it doesn't really deliver on the horror aspect Bethesda teased. There's plenty of intrigue to be found in Va'ruu'kai and the city of Dazra, and some side quests offer some memorable highlights. But as one of most elusive factions in Starfield, Shattered Space feels like a missed opportunity to go all in on the weirdness and the unsettling atmosphere the opening did so well to establish.

Presentation and plot charms aside, the most glaring issue with Way of the Samurai 4 is that despite the number of activities, exploration, and new wrinkles to the formula, it's an anachronistic experience.

It looks like a dungeon crawler but plays like an action RPG, yet it doesn't provide enough variety to make you want to come back for more. Its format gets repetitive far too quickly, and the only the thing that will keep your attention is knowing the fate of your character, even if you only played a small part in it.

The core gameplay of Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash is enjoyable, but disappointing side modes, online restrictions and gimmicky power-ups make this return go a little wide of the mark.

These problems aside, there is a genuinely good time to be had with portions of Front Mission Evolved, provided you bring with you a certain love for mechs. It's probably not the high point of the series, but fans of the Front Mission universe and/or giant robots might find something to like here.

Eagle Eye Golf would be a decent game for 20 bucks. But at 30, when Hot Shots 3 and FORE! can be had at this moment for eight and 15 bucks respectively on EB.com, it's a tougher recommend.

Sure there is some gem of PvP in there somewhere, but you have to work far too hard to get there.

The game - or string of small games connected only through common characters - is only worth dabbling in for the humor and bourgeois rock and roll attitude of it all.

These problems aside, there is a genuinely good time to be had with portions of Front Mission Evolved, provided you bring with you a certain love for mechs. It's probably not the high point of the series, but fans of the Front Mission universe and/or giant robots might find something to like here.

Despite all of the frustration, however, Tomb Raider on DS can still be great fun at times - as long as you've got super-human patience and are prepared to squint a lot.

Tron: Evolution is a mess of poorly implemented ideas and sloppy mechanics boiling down to a game that offers very little even to its most hardcore fans. Its story is barely there, and the exploration of the universe isn't one that is worth traversing the problems that it wallows in.

It’s actually a pretty fair price for what you get. But it’s hard to justify even that price when there’s surely something a bit more substantial coming to the service in the near future.

Despite springing from minds that are obviously clued in to horror, Hotel Barcelona never manages to escape genre cliches and become its own beast, resulting in an experience that vanishes from your mind as soon as you close it. Leaden combat and poor dialogue put the final nail in this game's coffin.

Even for kids, Over the Hedge is absurdly frustrating with its busted camera and indoctrinating logo-storm.

As long as you're not expecting a ton of depth, the game will serve you well as a story-based game, a quick therapeutic diversion and a party game which proves, ultimately that there's a lot to like in Bleach: Shattered Blade.

FIFA Street 2 is like real football because of the spherical bits of leather the players kick around - but that's where the similarities end.

Dark Kingdom has its failings, but it still isn't "bad"; it's just old fashioned and disappointing, especially when compared to modern action RPGs like "Marvel Ultimate Alliance."

Is it fun to play for a few hours? Sure, but the novelty is bound to wear off due to all the repetition. As fun as it is to abandon the role of observer and actually jump into controlling your favorite character, not much here feels all that exhilarating.

Boogie isn't a bad concept - there's just nothing to it, and that's not a very positive sentiment.

The game - or string of small games connected only through common characters - is only worth dabbling in for the humor and bourgeois rock and roll attitude of it all.

This third-person shooter is buried under an avalanche of repetitive encounters, endless backtracking, and a partially-thawed storyline.

If you want to kill lots of bad guys and must have a fantasy setting, it may just do the trick. Otherwise, you'd be better off keeping your wanton video game massacres firmly planted in feudal China.

Blade Kitten is simple, but simple is fun when such a fantastic world surrounds you. Kit's characterization makes immersing into Blade Kitten's world difficult, but at least attempt the adventure. You may not want to kill Kit the whole time. Maybe.

Ninja Gaiden 3 has completely missed the point of everything that made the series great. Challenging combat, weapon variety, engaging enemies and the series' legendary difficulty have all been cut out in favor of a bland story, flashy finish moves, screen nukes, and button mashing.

It’s just too basic and simplistic for big kids. There’s also no multiplayer of any kind and the five mini-games, which range from a shell game to a take on Simon Says that uses burp and fart sounds, won’t add much life.

This four to six hour play-through isn't worthwhile the first time; what's worse is the developers expect you to replay this multiple times with different characters.

Other than the brain petrifying load times, nothing will outrage you too much about TFATF. There’s a healthy mix of drifting and racing, plus gobs of sweet cars and robust customization choices. However, there are better "underground" racers out there with comparable features, better looks, and more fun times.

The Dynasty Warriors franchise is a beast of inveterate laziness. The gameplay is tired and, while the story and characters could be intriguing, the presentation is too bland and wonky to draw in gamers who are new to the series.

While still quite playable for several hours, the lack of true innovation or noteworthy upgrades makes Mater-National seem like more of a rushed expansion than a full-fledged - or fully necessary - follow-up to a memorable kid-friendly racer.

It's short, clocking in at around four to six hours long, but this isn't a slapdash effort - the plot might be lame, but the action, level design and graphics are all pretty impressive for a DS title.

All told, Samurai Warriors 2 is several modes of mindless violence and one mode of a Monopoly-like board game. There's nothing new or exciting about this title.

A multiplayer game that required the turtles to co-ordinate their efforts and powers could have rocked so much harder. For that matter, so could a camera that chose better angles and thus caused to fewer missed jumps due to misjudged distances.

Before this could get too gamey sitting on store shelves, the publisher wisely dropped the price to $20, which is where it should have started.

The world, while beautiful, isn't any different then the past two games. And the music, although it very badly wants to be important, won't be anything you find yourself humming after putting down the PSP to practice sword techniques.

Whether you’re dodging and jabbing in first-person to fend off wild predators, microphone-grunting to speak to a gorilla, recovering after a hurricane or earthquake, playing fire-making, harpooning, or milking mini-games wirelessly with another DS owner, making a necklace, or just discovering a new flower that you can use to flavor your food in the cooking mini-game, this is a different adventure, and one worth embarking upon.

So despite high production values, highlighted by another stellar turn by Ironside, there are too many frustrations for anyone but the most staunch Splinter Cell fanatic to try and stomach.

It's just that there isn't much there, and it gets repetitive quickly. Chances are you'll be more entertained by simply watching the movie a few more times - or heading back to your console for another blood-soaked round with Tony on the bigger screen.

The game offers plenty to do and an impressive breadth of characters and skills to master, but some polish in certain areas could really help make it a game you’d want to pay to play. If you’re looking for a new MMO or a game with Diablo-like replayability, play Marvel Heroes first and pay for it later (if you want, that is.)

Like an early card match at a pay-per-view event, WWE 2K Battlegrounds is meant to keep the crowd entertained before the main event re-enters the arena, but it's rarely as flashy or fun as its concept implies.

It's not often that the promotion campaign might be more enjoyable than the final product, but Wanted: Dead may have to grin and bear this ignominy. Despite some effort to subvert genre norms with its characters and amusing mini-games, the core action is bogged down by low production values, imbalance, and repetition. For every moment it hits its stride, there's another where it stubs its toe, and some slick execution animations are as imaginative as it gets.

Tales of the Shire does Tolkien's lore justice and has a new approach to unlocking features in cozy games that'll make your heart sing. However, Bywater struggles to keep you content with staying in the Shire for long.

Even training monsters has become a total chore; you have to set each task manually, instead of being able to set long-term training schedules. This is a de-evolution at best.

A direct port of a game clearly designed for the Wii to platforms that don't even support the core appeal. It's sad now that the bunny that demos the Wii's controls before every event is replaced by...empty space.

If you have a modicum of gaming ability, the challenge is simply non-existent for dozens of levels. You’ll simply be going through the motions. Even casual gamers may find TiQal a bit too forgiving for a bit too long. It’s almost too casual.

If you're buying this for solo gaming, save the cash or just head to a friend's house - multiplayer's the only way to go with Wii Play, and even then you'll be satisfied within a week.

This lovingly preserved Defender's well worth the 400 Microsoft points. But there's more pure fun to be had for $5 in the Arcade - and what's the profit margin on 5% of Xbox 360 owners again?

Ditching the lengthy matches of Mario Party's past in favor of shorter options makes sense, and it makes for more manageable experiences. But it's still saddening that the longest game of Island Tour that you'll ever play should wrap up in under an hour.

If this sort of game doesn't sound appealing, no one can blame you. Datura is arty, a tad obtuse, and the clumsy Move controls don't make it any more accessible. For more methodical, curious gamers, we recommend you download Datura, and play it with a DualShock. Moments from the game have a way sticking in your mind, calling you in for a replay.

The average gameplay links the excellent storytelling together in a way that players of all skill levels can enjoy. It’s a great carrot-and-stick model for the millions of Final Fantasy VII donkeys out there.

It tries to cater to both fight fans and Dragon Ball's frighteningly devoted legion, yet fails to really hit the mark on either side.

Sonic Forces is a spectacular but empty sugar rush that’s over in a blur. Once again, Sonic’s return to form falls flat.

Sacred 3 has the skeleton of a fun co-op hack 'n' slash experience, but it's marred by too much repetition, balance issues, and the worst comedy routine this side of Open Mic Night at the Middle of Nowhere Comedy Shack.

Cutting straight to the chase, instead of driving aimlessly in search of an event miles away, was good for consoles, and it’s all the better here on the PSP.

Driver '76's brand of road rage does get more right than it does wrong, and though it might not offer the best combat action or racing excitement, it still deserves a look for its competent mix of the two.

If you love card games simply because cards are fun to you, well then you might get something out of it. To those who don't wear their hair in gigantic blonde spikes or drool at the thought of any type of card-battling, stay far, far away.

Call it Before They Were RPGs: a trip back to the days when the genre was simple, looked bad, and just wanted to be taken as seriously as the other, cooler genres.

Hunted: The Demon's Forge could have been something special if it had gone for more creative and risky co-op elements, but instead it plays it safe, which leads to something that feels only vaguely cooperative.

Though the just-released Mario Party DS bests it with double the games, Wi-Fi support, and more robust single-card play, Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 succeeds with style, pizzazz, and humor unlike that seen in most handheld versions of console favorites.

Supremacy? Hardly. Fans, enjoy the second helping of EEII. Everyone else, head onward and upwards to brand new conquests.

HDTV nuts note: the 360 version also goes to 1080i resolution, while the PS3 is limited to 720i. But ultimately, like an import tuner with fuzzy dice and neon running lights but no steering wheel, you can't help feeling that some of the most important parts are missing.

As with most Wii games, it really glistens with more than one player. If you're willing to commit to Boogie, mind, body and sooooul, it's a goddamned blast, channeling the same enthusiastic participation we all had last year when firing up Wii Sports first time. But then it's all over too quickly, and too easily.

Despite the appearance of finesse, it’s surprising how quickly everything devolves into frantic button mashing and rote flailing.

Rise of the Argonauts has a nice story and something to offer, but shortcomings like this chip away at the fun and ultimately keep the game from matching its legendary sources of inspiration.

Enigmatic, visually stunning, but so far a bit lacking in substance.

Genesis Rising, with its intriguing twist on the RTS genre, dares you to choose a side, and be counted.

The game will keep you charmed for awhile, and fans of the movie could appreciate the atmosphere enough to make the game worth picking up.

DW2 has just enough improvements to make it smoother and slightly more enjoyable than its predecessor.

A little bit of quality assurance time would have gone a long way in improving Double Dragon, but ultimately, this brawler just isn’t main-event material anymore.

While this is visually the best looking Michael Jackson game ever, we find it difficult to recommend this title to anyone but the most rabid of fans, unless there's a promise to deliver DLC in the future. Fifteen tracks does not a King make.

The platforming and token collecting can become repetitive, but overall the game does have a respectable amount of variety, with the inclusion of racing levels and 2D platforming.

Labyrinth of Lost Souls, for better or for worse, just puts a new coat of paint over its old-fashioned trappings. Whether or not that's something you actually want to play is entirely dependent on your personal taste.

Between the wide variety of locales, the impressive bits of character customization, and the myriad choices both big and small, this game had lofty ambitions. Sadly, the game does very few things right – the poor design and garbled English make this a sloppy offering that isn't worth your time or money.

Compared to other minigame collections, Bomberman Land is a dud.

The developers clearly realized that they had something special going and require online play if you want to unlock all 12 achievements.

It may take a pretty thick suit of armor to fully embrace Legends but if you can stomach many, many defeats you'll be rewarded with the particle-laden powers of witches, wizards, magical nights and fire-breathing dragons.

To its credit, WarPath does contain some of the cheesiest weapon and vehicle names this side of an '80's Dolph Lundgren flick - we're guessing this is the only game where you’ll arm yourself with the Tyrant, Judge, Violator or Wolverine before driving off in your Maverick, Hornet or Razorback.

A novel experience and one of the few launch games with a real budget that isn't an updated port or half-sequel. And Pikmin fans desperate for anything that copies the series will have a good time for a little while. Yet Army Corps of Hell comes up short in the end, probably thanks to a lack of time or money.

Besides these few little "WTF" gems of humor, Chulip as a whole is tedious and frustrating. You might enjoy a brief rush of adrenaline when you finally kiss someone, but it's only because getting there was so painful.

A mediocre actioner that's probably best ignored. For what it is, though, it's surprisingly good. If you're willing to give him some time and earn him some cool guns, this budget bounty-hunter has some fun to offer.

For the devoted, Edge of Time is a nice rental with a weekend of passable web-slinging, but we hope, for Peter Parker's sake, that this one marks the end of the character's downward trend.

The cities are huge and beautiful, with country-appropriate cars, and while the gameplay is muddy, it’s easy to see how it could have been better. But as it is, DRIV3R is all flash and little substance.

As it stands, it's for series aficionados only, which judging from the multiplayer boards would be all ten of you.

The game isn't especially long but it's reasonably entertaining, even when you can hear the misfires going on behind the monitor. It's good - it just isn't as good as it should be.

In small doses, Little Deviants is an enjoyable experience and a great way to become familiar with the PS Vita's new tech. But beneath all that charm and googly-eyed cuteness, there isn't much to offer beyond the 30 minigames, with a chunk of them repeated on a various maps. It seems like Little Deviants would have been better suited as a tech demo, and should have come bundled with the system.

This is one of those games you either love or hate. We're perfectly happy with the story, graphics and simple gameplay Labyrinth offers, especially since there's nothing else like it on the DS, but casuals will probably downright despise the game.

A racing game without speed is just plain pointless.

The true winner in Dark of the Moon isn't Autobots or Decepticons – it's excellent pacing. Before any one part of the game starts to truly show its flaws, you're done with it and on to a new section. Sure, it's not the best Transformers game we've ever played, but it's still a good a Transformers game, and that'll be enough for a lot of people.

Nostalgic music and consistent art direction can't save a game from crippled controls, a mulish camera, and painfully tiresome reptition. Dawn of Mana is ultimately remarkable only for being such a bitter disappointment.

It’s possible a six-year-old could be amused by it, but at E10+, they shouldn’t' be playing it. And anyhow, there are plenty of other kid-friendly games that will challenge their brains and inspire their imaginations. And make them actually laugh.

While a few of these games may have some value when played with friends, fans of board games may as well stick to actually playing board games.

The visual downgrade from the PSP to DS version make this a better bet on Sony's platform. Still, if you're a DS owner who's already conquered Advance Wars multiple times over, and are tiring of the brimming mini-game and sim line-up, you might appreciate this turn-based tactical title.

But if you've got a stack of rejected astronaut applications, or have been struggling to save up that 20 or so million to hitch a ride up with the Russians, SpaceStationSim could be just what you need.

An action game with such gratingly imperfect action doesn't add up to much. BattleZone has its moments; we'd be lying if we said we didn't experience some fantastic moments during four-player games, but too often someone was complaining that he couldn't see anything just before he died, while someone else was noting how the tanks move slower than bicycles.

The action pauses so frequently to remind you how to excute your task that the entire game ends up feeling like one giant training tutorial. It's impossible to get stuck at any point because all of the answers are pretty much handed right to you.

The leap to new-gen is more of a stumble for WWE, as it drops elements of existing content and recycles a lot more, giving little feeling of quality.

If you want to see an action/RTS hybrid that actually gets the strategy part right, then Guilty Gear 2: Overture will deliver the goods. Unfortunately, even though this one element is great, it’s the only gem that stands in this title.

The fact that Prizfighter doesn't break any new ground is forgivable, but botching the essential issue of hit detection is obviously a huge problem. Pugilistic devotees seeking the next fix will undoubtedly fight through the flaws, but frustration will likely be the knockout punch for the average gamer.

It’s a slick little pick-up-and-play experience, though sadly, it is a short one. The varied Wi-Fi Party mode almost would've made up for NC3's brevity... if it only allowed game sharing.