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.