FlatOut 2 is one of the most chaotic racing games ever made. Whether you’re playing on or offline, you’ll be lucky if you can last two minutes on the track without eating twisted metal.

Quotation forthcoming.

NCAA Football 13 is a bit of a disappointment as the franchise faces its inevitable confrontation with the law of diminishing returns. Significant advancements in design or gameplay are few, and the ones that are included are flawed in some way. With last year's game available on the cheap, spending 60 bucks on this will feel a lot like buying tickets from a scalper, but you'll ultimately feel fairly satisfied.

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.

If you’re a military hardware nut who likes the thought of intense firefights with realistic consequences, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 is for you.

R.U.S.E. succeeds as a solid RTS with a fun focus on deceit, even if it's a little more conventional than we were hoping for.

Plain Sight's low-gravity environments and ultra-mobile characters combine to create a relentlessly fast-paced experience. While it's simple to play, its multiplayer nature means you'll always find stiff competition.

While Street Fighter 2 Hyper Fighting is more of a mixed bag than most people wanted or expected, when it delivers, it delivers in spades.

Crysis 3, the endcap to the sci-fi shooter trilogy, recaptures the spirit of its source in an all-inclusive package wrought with the best elements from each game. And though it doesn’t necessarily exceed series expectations, it certainly doesn’t betray them, either. The only concession is the compact campaign, but it’s easy to overlook it in light of the game’s accomplishments overall. From its cerebral, open-ended gameplay and lavish visuals to its impressive scale and multiplayer execution, Crysis 3, in all of its careful engineering and design, is certifiably dressed to impress.

The sporadic moments of greatness, when you’re storming enemy walls or have finally brokered a peace agreement, are swallowed by tedium. With patience, your inner imperialist is satisfied as you skillfully cultivate a sprawling empire. It’s too bad you have to put up with so much to get there.

Yet great strides have been made in creating a more realistic-playing game, especially when factoring in the assortment of sliders that can adjust the action even further. There are still areas that could use additional polish, but the overall experience is a step in the right direction.

More options, tighter defense, gameplay sliders, and added variety across play modes would spell the difference between a big leaguer and a candidate for Cooperstown.

This Gunslinger isn't fancy or high tech. It excels where it matters most, with satisfying gunplay in a colorful old west setting that’s satisfying enough to have you forget or overlook the game's faults. If you're looking for a shooter that lets you spit fire into the hearts of your enemies, strap on the spurs and become a Gunslinger yourself.

As likely the last Ratchet and Clank game on the PS3, the series could hardly ask for a better send off.

While the formula is definitely on its last legs, LEGO Batman’s simple fun is engaging and even gets better as you go. The omission of online play is a disappointment, but thanks to a lineup of strong characters, more levels, and gameplay tweaked to fit the Dark Knight’s style, LEGO Batman is the best of the LEGO breed.

Though Contra ReBirth may not enjoy the same level of variety as other recent installments in the series, it's ultimately well worth the asking price.

While it lacks the unique style and feel of Lost in Nightmares, Desperate Escape is a good expansion in its own right. It's comparable in length to the last addition, clocking in at around an hour to complete on your first run through, and you'll get a few replays out of it. If you're looking for one more sample of Resident Evil 5, this is one escape you should definitely take.

There are some questionable gameplay choices and it can be confusing at times, but the sharp script, solid voice acting, and uncanny atmosphere show an appreciation for the source material like few movie games do.

Despite the downgraded visuals, the Reflex Edition of Modern Warfare lives up to its heritage with a strong campaign and multiplayer that will keep you up until sunrise.

If you're looking for combat, in-depth crafting options, or a true survival simulation, then Miasmata's limitations will likely be disappointments. Yet if you are the type of player who enjoys exploring, cartography, and the danger of being hunted by a creature you cannot defeat, then Miasmata will prove a to be a highly memorable experience that's equal parts exasperating and thrilling.

It's a decent stop-gap if you're waiting for "Burnout 5" to hit stores, but most will be able to milk it for all it’s worth via rental. If the series continues to lumber on like this, its fans will inevitably burn out.

Hell's Highway is a polished, coherent experience that, despite a few setbacks, remains compelling with interesting mechanics and compelling gameplay.

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.

If you've always been curious about what it'd be like to play a Jensen that's tricked out in a completely different way, The Missing Link offers a blank slate with which to do so. Diehard transhumans will want to unravel The Missing Link without hesitation in any event, but at $15, those less committed to Jensen's cause could stand to wait until the price of the upgrade isn't so steep.

Exploring this recreation of London is a marvel, but the repetitive cycle of taking territory and gathering pointless collectibles quickly wears thin, while gameplay pillars in stealth and combat still feel lacking. It’s the most modern Assassin’s Creed has been, but the Industrial Revolution doesn’t quite bring the series into a new age.

Like an old muscle car, Twisted Metal can be a bit rough around the edges, but once you get the engine warmed up, you can get a lot out of it. The more you invest, the more it gives, providing a fulfilling sense of mayhem whether you're playing online or with friends at home.

If there’s anything that sticks out the most in Penny Arcade Adventures’ presentation it’s the art, and rightfully so. Mike Krahulic’s trademark style looks great with the in-game portraits, and even better in motion thanks to the game’s bevy of gorgeous animated cutscenes that seamlessly work your avatar into the action.

The biggest element that feels missing is the incredible character interaction from New Order.