Yakuza 3 brings together enough different gameplay styles that it's more or less pointless to assign it to one particular genre. It's the way it combines these individual parts and invests you in its world that really matters.

Far from a cheap attempt at a slice of the kart-racing pie, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is an exhilarating ride. The intricate and well-thought-out track designs and highly addictive gameplay bring it closer than most to dethroning the almighty Mario Kart.

Minecraft on the Xbox 360 does an admirable job of reproducing the essence of its forbear, and on the strength of the local co-op, it also manages to improve upon it in a small but essential way.

So PES 2015 isn't quite the FIFA killer that many may have hoped, as there are many things that the current iteration of EA's footie series does better. Yet the gap has narrowed significantly with PES 2015, and the hardest part of any sports game -- the gameplay and feel of the sport -- has never been better than with this year's installment.

Anyone who has an appreciation for Final Fantasy music will find much to love here.

It's big, loud, and crazy, and it's clearly not meant to be taken too seriously. But looking past the pageantry, the whole thing is a little too familiar. If you're looking for some innovation, or at the very least, a modest twist in your RTS, you're not going to find it here.

Campo Santo has taken one of the most boring jobs in the world and turned it into an absorbing tale of fear and regret.

A significant improvement over its predecessor, and one that proves there are still a few developers out there willing to learn from their mistakes.

A couple of the games are rewarding for the long term, but most can be easily whipped into submission in a matter of hours. The visuals are also severely lacking.

A niche title lacking the surface appeal of its party-game predecessors, Rocksmith's not for everyone. Still, there's absolutely nothing else like it for its intended audience. Those who'd rather play than pretend will appreciate the lasting reward of learning riffs from Nirvana's In Bloom far more than the shallow gratification that comes with pressing colored plastic buttons to a Top 40 hit.

Offers enough memorable moments and entertainment value to be worth its $15 price point.

It'd be easy to dismiss Sigma Plus as another attempt to cash-in on an aging game, but those who've never experienced it--or even seasoned fiend-slayers looking for a portable fight--should definitely consider picking up the sword.

World Invitational may not possess the sheer system-selling appeal of an Uncharted: Golden Abyss, but it's still a solid, packed launch game that old hands as well as rookies should consider grabbing alongside their Vitas.

Tri-ace has made an admirable effort with Last Hope, but the game ultimately just isn't capable of standing out amongst the other giants in the genre. It's enjoyable, but in a way more reminiscent of recent Square-Enix games than its classics. It's not the most epic adventure, but if you seek rich combat experiences in your RPGs, Last Hope certainly delivers.

The anything-is-a-weapon aesthetic is still ace, but the combat system is too unwieldy when tackling multiple foes. It’s a game of ups and downs, but horror fans will be more than satisfied with its bleak and gloomy disposition.

Aside from some issues with its online requirements, bugs, and restrictions on city size, it's still a satisfying and addicting simulator that will grant dozens of hours of entertainment with one well-designed city alone. It's best played with friends, but there's still plenty of fun in store for those who go it alone, and the work Maxis has done here proves that the beloved franchise can still hold its own in a gaming world vastly different from its first appearance in 1989.

Thanks mainly to the simplified economy and streamlined controls, Supreme Commander 2 evades the stigma associated with the RTS genre on consoles, providing more evidence that real-time strategy games can not only work outside the PC, but potentially flourish as well.

Brimming with fan-service, Back to the Future tickles the funny bone more than it taxes the brain, but we're guessing fans of the time-traveling film trilogy wouldn't want it any other way.

There are a few slight tweaks here and there, and the online functionality is surprisingly robust, but otherwise, this game could have been done on the Game Boy Advance with minimal issues. At the same time, there's more content on this card than four typical DS games combined so you're definitely getting your money's worth.

Child of Light may not be the biggest game this year, but sometimes it’s the smallest things that shine the brightest.

The Vita crossover feature allows for almost seamless alternations between portable and console gameplay; in fact, the lush visuals of Thieves in Times tend to fare better on the Vita. Yet the most satisfying achievement of Thieves in Time is that this isn’t a mere nostalgia trip like 2010’s Sly Collection; with Thieves in Time, Sanzaru has proven that there’s never been a better time to join forces with Sly and his merry band.

The Last Remnant is a hard game to judge. A person's enjoyment of it will be directly related to how much they can tolerate persistent graphical issues. If you can get past it, there's a lot to enjoy in the smart design decisions and its unique battle system.

Compared to other multiplayer shooters flooding the market, Gotham City Imposters may not offer the same breadth of game modes and map content, but it certainly stands out thanks to a great sense of self-referential humor and some oddball gadgetry. Even when the chuckles subside, the madcap action stands strong on its own.

The right combination of gameplay elements and design decisions make Kane and Lynch easy to recommend to crime junkies and anyone who enjoys a little therapeutic videogame violence. A well-executed plot really makes the game, while the multiplayer additions add replay value and variety.

Depending on what you want from Disney Infinity 2.0 Edition you’ll either be underwhelmed or overjoyed. Maybe both. You can see exactly where improvements have been made, and where the series still needs to grow. We’re disappointed in the lack of diversity from the available Playsets, but there is still a ridiculous amount of stuff to collect, and it’s now more accessible, customizable, and fun than ever.

At 10 dollars, Trials of St. Lucia may be a little steep, but it gives Dante a shot of much-needed replayability. With online co-op, a seemingly-enthusiastic community, and a suite of solid online features, the original game suddenly feels like it has some legs.

An expansive downloadable game that's bursting with stuff to do. It's disappointing that cheap mini games and toys are the only incentives for perfecting courses, but even so, the game provides a ton of variety and a consistent level of challenge. Like other great puzzlers on handheld platforms, Minis on the Move will have you searching for your 3DS charger before you know it.

The real enjoyment in Luftrausers doesn’t really come from experimenting, it’s more about finding the right fit. It’s really about performance, not options, and the game’s longevity and value come from excellent tuning and feedback. You launch, then you thread the needle, push the envelope, curse your foes, and go out in a blaze of glory.