Despite being a very solid RPG, it never takes itself too seriously. There's just something very cheeky, almost silly about it all (and the game really focuses on this) as it throws one ridiculous situation at you after the next.

This blood-drenched blast-fest is still one of the most intense games ever made, and twitch gamers looking for a serious challenge won't be disappointed.

Thanks to easy multiplayer integration, this surprisingly sturdy download is sure to keep you playing long after that.

When it comes to puzzle games on Xbox Live, Hexic HD feels fresher and Astropop proves more exciting.

Right from the start you're surrounded by creatures that suck away your life. The only way to get ahead is to learn a novel's worth of tricks and memorize the mazy layouts - something only the old-schoolers may have the patience for.

And despite its difficulty, the game constantly lures you back, persuading you that this time, you've got it figured out; this time, the high score is yours. But "this time" becomes "next time," and after several lost hours, you realize that this humble $5 downloadable might just be the best experience you've had with your Xbox 360.

This is not just another falling brick game; Hexic is a keen evolution of the genre that gives the player a lot more credit than most puzzle games do.

It's this progressive difficulty that makes Joust just as intense today as it was 20 years ago, and a welcome addition to the Live Arcade for those who fondly recall the Defender days of yore.

Flawless control, sleep-stealing gameplay ... there's just no reason to skip out on this perfect, mutated storm.

Fast-paced and often challenging, Outpost Kaloki X is one of the few Xbox Live Arcade titles that actually makes you earn your Achievements.

It's a bit of a bummer that Zuma is single-player-only: I would've loved to go head-to-head with a buddy over Xbox Live. But the game still packs plenty of thrills into a tiny package.

Unfortunately, GamesRadar's editorial staff doesn't yet acknowledge the Real Time Conflict genre, so Shogun Empires had to be scored according to the narrow standards of fun, successful strategy games.

Players who've enjoyed the Battlefield franchise for its signature rollicking vehicular combat can skip this expansion altogether.

This is adventure done right.

Running around and making time your bitch is a sensation nothing else on the DS can duplicate.

One thing about that online mode: it features a nasty bug that can completely ruin the experience, but is incredibly easy to fix.

It has flashes of brilliance, but overall presents a shallow experience with gameplay unworthy of the 360's potential.

This multiplayer component caps an already stunning single-player campaign and extends the value greatly. If you can't get enough of WWII, Call of Duty 2 is the hot ticket.

If you like getting frightened, you need Condemned -- it's the scariest game of the year.

Tiny DS buttons make tight and efficient combos downright painful, and unless you set your sights on buffing your skater’s speed stats from the get-go, the pokey pace of play will put you to sleep.

Unfortunately, NHL 2K6 barely seems like a next-gen game. The graphics are cleaner and slightly prettier than the last-gen versions, but there's no wow power here - you wouldn't be surprised to see this game running on Xbox.

If there's a nit to pick with Gun, it's that it's short. Depending on how much you poke around, you can beat it in anywhere from six to ten hours. To us, that's no problem; we'll take a short amazing game over a long lackluster one any day.

It's hard to recommend NBA Live 06 for purchase just yet. It's almost certain to be a must-buy monster in future years when the exploit is fixed and the feature set is restored, but you'll have to decide if a drop-dead gorgeous game with only a season mode is worth your 60 bones in the meantime.

Ultimately, the first golf game on 360 is an admirable sign of things to come. But considering its emaciated course selection and the fact that it runs ten bucks more than the current-gen version, we'd think long and hard about which version is best for you.

While some gripes remain about the slightly confusing character skill progression, Amped 3 delivers a solid, next-gen entertainment bonanza that howls with the soul of a true snow beast.

It's a shame that the multiplayer options don't include a cop pursuit mode, but that's a minor omission in a one-game-fits-all package.

The gameplay, as ever, is absolutely bang on and they've gone the extra mile in making this far more approachable for American Football rookies. You can select Madden's plays, which are demystified by the legend himself.

The ultimate descendant of classic console RPGs. It's what all RPGs might be like if Final Fantasy VII hadn't come along and changed everything.