Escape Plan's puzzles are charming and inventive, and it's smartly designed to be playable in short spurts.

From a gameplay standpoint, Pro Evolution Soccer 2012's minor enhancements add up to a reasonable improvement over last year's entry. Refined AI, improved realism both on and off the ball, and a better sense of pacing add to the depth while maintaining the franchise's fun, addictive spirit.

Pays as much tribute to the classics as it does the games and superstars of today, reinvigorating the wrestling genre with a fast, fun pace that most anyone could appreciate. If you dig classic wrestling games but are turned off by the ultra-complex, sim-oriented direction the genre has taken, then WWE All Stars is exactly what you've been waiting for.

Though the modes and extras in the console port aren't solid gold, they still add a good bit of value to an accomplished fighting game. Like your nose, neck, or kneecaps, if a fighting game isn't broken, there's not really any need to fix it.

Mortal Kombat X is another superb entry in the franchise.

While still not meeting the revolution that 1942 was, the addition of Titan mode makes it feel more than “another year, another title” but it’s cutting it close.

Draws you into its unfamiliar terrain with a great sense of atmosphere and fosters experimentation with varied tools and fascinating situations. It's a fairly brief excursion, but it's worth the journey.

It's hard not to feel at least a little bit ecstatic taking part in its marvelously framed moments. Avid audiophiles weary of the standard-issue music game will definitely find something novel in this high-concept, yet easily enjoyed shooter.

The tried and true formula might taste stale for some veterans, but it’s still an engrossing game well-suited for those seeking a solid RPG experience.

Bad Company set out to deliver a successful single-player campaign, and it succeeds. This isn’t a unique feat and it’s not a new high standard, but it’s definitely a first for the series.

It's fun, and funny with plenty of great payoffs for Borderlands fans.

By nature, F1 2011 is a focused racer that demands driving with patience and perseverance. That being said, there's a lot of flexibility built in to let players approach it however they choose, and this season's changes translate well to changes in gameplay that fans will want to explore.

Another solid entry in the series, continuing to scream by with fantastic production values, tight controls, lots of objectives, and above all, an intense sense of speed. Its biggest weakness lies in the time it takes to unlock a decent number of courses, but fans willing to look past that should strap in and hang on.

The Run falters with its high-profile but underdeveloped plot as well as some awkward design choices. However, it overcomes these potholes with courses that are a blast to drive and simple multiplayer that keeps you hooked in.

Naruto: Rise of the Ninja is not one of the best ninja games to hit the market, but it is one of the best anime-based games ever released.

Its simple, intuitive gameplay, combined with a clever use of strategy and impressive length make it a great buy for PS3 owners looking for a cheap fix.

Nagging issues we've been complaining about for years have gone untouched, and the meager additions to this year's game aren't enough to offset the problems. The endless list of bells and whistles is pointless when your team is blowing wide open layups when it matters. NBA 2K10 is barely the best roundball game on the market, but at this point it's starting to look like a paper champion.

On its loftiest promise of redefining massively multiplayer combat for good, Tera delivers a stunning new model of action that can't be ignored. Its only flaw is keeping the focus of its ambitions narrow, choosing to play it safe in almost every other regard with the form and function of an otherwise conventional MMO.

The addition of the extra vehicles and racing styles takes what was already a solid premise and brings it to the next level. It’s a definite must-play for racing fans who enjoy getting a little dirty.

MotorStorm has lost little in its transition to the PSP. Arctic Edge may not have the eye-popping HD visuals of its PS3 counterparts, but it continues the franchise's frenzied attitude, which makes for a great racer on the go.

The Escape may handily trump the Assault, but neophyte Riddicks have a unique experience to work through. Though vets who return may begrudge Athena, it's doubtful they won't finish. It's an abridged effort, and more of a dreaded point-five than a true sequel, but with both missions it still reigns as the best first-person, melee, stealth, parkour game featuring Vin Diesel.

Zack and Wiki is colorful, inventive, and just plain fun. It never manages to transcend the trail-and-error aesthetic endemic to the genre, but for most players, the unique experience and thrill of discovery will be more than worth a little bit of frustration.

It replicates the feeling of sliding down a mountain side with eerie precision and manages to make other control schemes feel dated. There’s certainly plenty of opportunity for improvement with the sequel, but with a ton of content and even more fun, it’s hard to go wrong with SSX Blur.

While the omission of co-op play in this outing is an unexpected disappointment, Lego City Undercover is the best game in the series so far. It's consistently fun and surprising, offering the freedom of a great open-world game without all the guilt.

The Pre-Sequel does feel more like a massive expansion pack than an entirely fresh experience, but the new playable characters are worth exploring and the tweaks to the formula have an impact across the entire breadth of the game. You won’t know what you ever did without huge double-jumps and butt-stomps.

This arcade-style take on stealth takes a careful balance of planning and execution, and even if it’s not quite a perfect crime, it’s still a pretty darn good one.

For a value title, Blast Works provides serious replay value for those willing to take the initiative.

It’s accessible, fun, and a mighty shuffle in the right direction, if a tad on the shallow side.

Nintendo really has this kind of game down to a science, to the point where players can almost take for granted that the newest Mario game will hit a certain standard of quality. It's not the most inspired piece of work, but New Super Mario Bros Wii U satisfies the requirements for a great platformer and does a good job of putting the system's touchscreen to interesting use. The game is actually at its best when another human being is involved, and if you're on board with the Wii U, it's a great chance to get in touch with your new system.

The Last Story employs some bold mechanisms in an attempt to chart new territory. If not for a few undercooked components like the multiplayer, it would stand among the best on the Wii. Still, it's a strong RPG in its own right, excelling precisely where you'd expect such a game to. The Wii could have done much worse for a bookend to its storied history.

Borderlands is a bit of a grind-fest, but that's part of the fun, as you take on tougher enemies and hunt for bigger and badder gear. The co-op play is integrated seamlessly, and there's a huge world to explore with friends or on your own.

Ninja Gaiden 2 adheres to the Team Ninja aesthetic, which will please fans but won't endear the series to a new audience.

This is one Blu-ray collection that's begging you to shred its cellophane wrapper like a raccoon would do to some delectable trash bags.

It's a shame that Split/Second fails to provide new courses later on, and once you've seen it all, it does lose some of its magic. But while it's fresh, Split/Second delivers an exhilarating sense of danger and surprise. It's just simple, explosive fun.

A smart package of everything good about the series down to the last crumb of skeleton dust.

Trenched is doubtlessly a tower defense game, just one that falls further from the tree than most. Though it takes a few missteps, particularly the tedious scrap collection and the lack of a survival mode, it's ultimately another notch in Double Fine's belt.

With a series of meaningful improvements that culminate in a more interestingly designed campaign and sustainable multiplayer experience, Fall of Cybertron continues the franchise's upward trend in quality with a sequel that's definitely worth attention.

Need for Speed: The Run falters with its high-profile but underdeveloped plot as well as some awkward design choices. However, it overcomes these potholes with courses that are a blast to drive and simple multiplayer that keeps you hooked in.

The gameplay is a bit of a hybrid, but its open enough for exploration without getting lost. It’s obviously a game for fans, and it succeeds, but it’s also a good game for a portable platform that anyone can get into.

It's able to emulate its idols very well, so whatever War is doing, it's bound to be enjoyable. But anyone who's attracted to this sort of game, or action games in general, is going to feel more familiar than floored.

If you're looking for a good single player adventure and the best online experience on the Wii bar none, then look no further than Monster Hunter Tri. Newcomers will find it very easy to get into the action, while the experience is deep enough to satisfy seasoned adventurers.

Casual hoops players aren't going to be wowed with this latest iteration of NBA 2K9, but it's meant to satisfy those who live and breathe basketball, as the improvements in the AI and atmosphere alone are sure to tickle the inner twine of dedicated fans.

It's missing a few elements that would make it an ideal starting point for anyone unfamiliar to the series and is unlikely to attract new fans with its straightforward approach, but in terms of value and quality, Broken Destiny is an excellent handheld fighting game.

Strives to replicate the Masters, and it succeeds on an impressive level. It's got the sort of variety that'll keep you playing for a good long time, and its treatment of the Masters is slick and educational, doing honor to the venerable tournament.

Strives to replicate the Masters, and it succeeds on an impressive level. It's got the sort of variety that'll keep you playing for a good long time, and its treatment of the Masters is slick and educational, doing honor to the venerable tournament.

It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but working within its accepted elements it does a great job of dumping you in the jungle and making you feel like you’re fighting for your life.

Capcom has once again successfully recreated a classic Mega Man game while improving the package with tweaks and new content. Those intimidated or even frustrated by the normal difficulty of a Mega Man game can fall back on the easy mode, making the experience more accessible than ever.

If you're coming to this party, be prepared to play, just not in the traditional way. The 90-something built-in games are a paltry offering for the series, and the tap-only ethos really starts to wear on once you start to hit your stride as a designer. Still, the toolset is inspired, and those with a connected Wii and the ambition (and wallets) could potentially find their 15-miliseconds of fame.

With a mix of on-foot gunplay, full on dogfights, and strategic base-building, Starhawk lets you find your niche or switch roles at the drop of a hat. While it doesn't leverage this versatility to create new game types to call its own, its territory-based gameplay offers a wide range of tactical options to explore.

Unless you absolutely need to have a moderate-looking HD version, you'd be better off with the Wii iteration because it includes multiple control setups and all the same extra features.

It's kind of like having some philosophical chewing gum to go with your war. You feel like there's something to think about, but it's not going to bother you as you go about your business.

Skullgirls uses its personality and a masterful execution of the genre to punch well above its weight as a $15 downloadable upstart. Even if it isn't quite pound-for-pound on par with the giants of the genre, it's bold enough to aim for the top and accomplished enough to put up one heck of a fight.

Level randomization is a delicate tool and one that Spelunky wields well, placing its tiles just so to equally aggravate and entice. Play Spelunky to conquer it, keep playing to master it, and just remember to keep your eyes open for new danger and adventure.

The experience is a good length, without even engaging the replays, and its feel-good manner and attention to its source material is unmatched for a licensed game.

First-person platforming is certainly nothing new, but an entire game built around it is. It works and comes across as a new beast, just don't expect a lot of play time from it unless you're obsessive compulsive. There's still room for refinement, but anyone who's curious, jump in.

Tumble has the broad appeal of any good puzzler, though it will tax your manual dexterity in ways Tetris never dreamed. Like any good puzzle game, there will be some frustration, especially with the novel contortion element.

Three levels may not sound like much, but you'll get several hours' worth of elegantly designed exploration and jetpacking fun for your paltry five dollar buy-in.

It's the perfect game to jump into the series with if you're a newcomer, and the updates and new content are enough to keep veterans satisfied.

It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but working within its accepted elements it does a great job of dumping you in the jungle and making you feel like you’re fighting for your life.

As a port, Tekken 6 offers some of the best fighting you'll encounter on a handheld, though if you already have a copy on the consoles, there's little point in splurging. For better or worse, the game provides an identical experience across the board.

The big question on everyone’s mind is which is better: EA’s "Skate," or Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground? We’re going with Tony on this one, though by a slim margin. The core of the game is just much stronger with the full complement of tricks, more reliable controls, far more interesting objectives, a vastly superior video editing tool, and a lot more content in general.

Online play holds up admirably to the lobby features and netcode standards of the original, and dedicated pad players should find little trouble adjusting their links, loops, and launchers to the Vita's crisp controls.

Trauma Team is a step in the right direction for the series, adding new elements to keep things fresh while managing to preserve what's worked well.

There's no mistaking Outland for its marvelous presentation or its curious conglomeration of elements, which quite possibly amount to the freshest take on action platformers in a good long while. At 800 Microsoft Points, it's a journey well worth taking.

The experience is a good length, without even engaging the replays, and its feel-good manner and attention to its source material is unmatched for a licensed game.

Its no-nonsense, pick-up-and-play sensibility is perfectly portable, and for many Final Fantasy fans it’s an excellent stopgap while waiting for the DS remake of Final Fantasy IV.

The game largely succeeds more than it falters, and anyone with a soft spot for deep, team-based strategy should not pass up this substantial gem.

While F1 2013 is certainly improved over 2012, like the subtle new lighting effects, most of those changes don't make for substantial additions. The move to include features from past eras is a promising step for the future of the series, but carving out half of that content as DLC leaves the remainder as a briefly entertaining pit stop before moving on to business as usual.

Combines bold action with a certain level of restraint, taking a few chances but still hewing close to the familiar. The unexpected multiplayer arenas will click with some, while others may not even touch it, and only the server logs, written on ancient papyrus scrolls, will show if it has staying power.

The lack of online play is a shame, but if you've been looking for a great follow-up to Castle Crashers, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World should not be passed up.

But if you do own Supreme Commander and want more, Forged Alliance is a no-brainer.

Like a well tempered sentence, Abyss is a complete thought. It’s solid on all angles but lacking any real sharp celerity, except in a plot seemingly based off a lost Einstein journal. It’s as good a Tales game as any, but it doesn’t raise any bars.

Yakuza 4 builds on its history and its strengths, using four well-differentiated playable characters to multiply the value of its character-driven drama and exhilarating fights. The game sometimes feels dated and a bit too stodgily conventional, but its virtual tour of a bizarrely attractive, crime-soaked, hyperbolic slice of Japan as seen through the eyes of its underworld nobility is certainly worth taking.

Despite misgivings about the roleplaying elements, Curtain Call is the best Theatrhythm has ever been. It’s telling when a game offers DLC and there’s already so much there that more would just be icing on the cake. If song names like Battle at the Big Bridge and Dancing Mad mean something to you, this is a game you don’t want to miss.

Even if the master of puppets doesn't pull your strings, the sheer breadth of challenge offered by the game's sadistic setlist is yet another ace up its sleeve.

As if card games weren’t enough of a niche market, a video game like The Eye of Judgment complicates matters by seeping into an even deeper crack within that crevice. But for what it’s worth, the game is a steal--especially if there’ll be more use to come of the packaged camera in the future.

The mixture of real-time action and strategy is a joy to play, and a nice departure from what is fast becoming a stale play mechanic.

It's the perfect game to jump into the series with if you're a newcomer, and the updates and new content are enough to keep veterans satisfied.

The mixture of real-time action and strategy is a joy to play, and a nice departure from what is fast becoming a stale play mechanic.

Rearmed 2 may not be as easy to recommend as its predecessor was--1200 Microsoft points isn't peanuts--but if you've been craving another dalliance with Spencer, you won't be disappointed, provided you're not a stickler about the whole jumping thing.

If you buy games for the single-player experience it's hard to recommend Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. Once you hop online it's a different story as the tactical, objective-driven modes manage to fill the five-year void left since the release of the superior Advanced Warfighter 2. It's heavily reliant on teammates who are willing to play specific roles, but with a group of dedicated soldiers it's a war that you'll want to keep fighting.

de Blob's Katamari-like premise is simple yet compelling, but repetitive challenge types and a general lack of gameplay variety keep it from being essential.

NBA Live 10 is a vastly improved game, making key strides in the areas of AI, controls, and atmosphere. While there are a few stumbles here and there, hoops fans sour on the franchise will be pleasantly surprised with what the developers were able to accomplish.

Torchlight applies a smooth and modern design to a time-tested concept. The result is successfully crafted and eminently playable dungeon crawler at the attractive price of 20 bucks. The one downer is the puzzling lack of online play.

The customization features are a welcome return, and the five-layered career lets you play with different approaches to driving. Some aspects of Need for Speed could use more variety, but it’s a solid foundation to move the series forward.

Considering the package deal, both games are good for bloody trip down memory lane. You might even be surprised at how well they hold up.

Despite some minor technical issues and sometimes abstruse mechanics, South Park: The Stick of Truth is an experience to behold. It’s one of the most faithful adaptations of a television show into a video game, and its signature style of humor and commentary come through in every facet of the game. Even with so much focus on capturing the feel of the show, this still manages to be a solid RPG that’s fun and rewarding. There’s simply nothing else like it out there.

It’s not a particularly attractive game and there are some gameplay quirks to work around, but it’s easy to forget the issues when you’re making a total mess of things, tossing objects from one side of the room to the other and letting gravity take its course.

Diverse, connected environments, creepy characters, and fantastic boss designs speak to a journey that resonates stronger than the plot itself.

Miles Edgeworth's take on the franchise doesn't pack on too many surprises, but is nonetheless faithful to the tenets that make Ace Attorney great.

A superb entry in the genre with a ton of great missions and reasons to play again and again. Anyone that enjoys the macabre, or going nose-to-nose with zombies should check it out. Fans will absolutely love it as it's basically a love letter from Capcom to them.

It has little to offer fighting game fans bridled with brand fatigue and even less to Tekken players still wary of polarizing mechanics and the tricky jump to 2D. But in terms of keeping pace with innovation and bringing something new to the table, Street Fighter x Tekken duly makes the effort worth the while.

Stumbles a bit due to its uncompromising control scheme that puts just a few too many hurdles in the way of your enjoyment. Largely, though, Pit's comeback is a successful one.

Brief as it is, its two hours of new content bears the Bioware standard of excellence. If your ship's decks are looking a little lonely of late, consider taking this crafty criminal's services for a spin.

Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 is a game about its big storylines, big matches, and big thrills. But most of all, it's a game about its fans, which makes it one of the more enjoyable installments of the series to date.

With innovative, fun controls, above average presentation, and more options, modes, and features than you can shake an aluminum bat at, MVP 07 NCAA Baseball on the PlayStation 2 is recommended for any baseball fan.

From it's setting in modern Tokyo to its fast paced enemy encounters, The World Ends with You stands out as a daring and innovative franchise for Square-Enix, in spite of the main character's struggle with amnesia.

While it doesn't inspire the imaginative wonder of Epic Yarn, Kirby's Return to Dream Land is a welcome return to the gameplay that got this hero off the ground. The structure feels a bit formulaic at times, but it's challenging and true enough to form to keep Kirby fans of all ages from feeling deflated.