Normally games that borrow a lot of elements from others end up being less than the sum of their parts, but for everything Dead Space borrows it gives something back. The atmosphere is Metroid Prime, and the structure is Resident Evil, but everything else is all its own. The strategic dismemberment, mixture of weapons and supernatural abilities, and relentless intensity make for a game that you’ll be scared to keep playing, but won’t want to stop.

Not all of the additions make the game more fun or fair, but they're steps in the right direction towards making an already excellent sports game peerless.

There's a certain straight-to-DVD feel with this sequel, which constantly evokes the original without ever eclipsing it. But perhaps it's callous to stack it up too harshly against its brilliant predecessor. BioShock 2 houses great combat, an entertaining multiplayer game, some truly standout set pieces, and a story you'll want to see through to the end.

There are some issues, but on the whole, playing NHL 09 feels incredibly realistic. It's a deep, challenging game, but it's so rewarding when everything finally clicks.

Not all of the additions make the game more fun or fair, but they're steps in the right direction towards making an already excellent sports game peerless.

Uncharted is one of those rare games that borrows elements from all the latest hits without feeling like an also-ran. It manages to simplify gameplay elements that typically frustrate casual players, yet provides enough challenge in the gunplay to satisfy the hardcore.

With its increased emphasis on the single-player campaign, and a phenomenal multiplayer pedigree, this is one of those games that has the potential to give you your money’s worth and then some.

The campaign could use some creative spark, but it’s the staying power of the multiplayer that wins the day. If you look to get the most out of your money with video game purchases, you can’t go wrong with Battlefield Bad Company 2.

It doesn't just add a few extra chapters to the existing campaign, or some new weapons and skins like so many other DLC add-ons. Instead, it adds some actual meaning, gives us a new way to play and an intimate look into Ellie's poignant past that is essential to any fan of the series.

Given all the ways you can play it, as well as the superb MotionPlus controls, the Wii version of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 is easily the best one. MotionPlus is a definite must-have in order to get the most out of the game, though.

Manipulating your character through each stage feels tight and responsive with the Vita's analog stick, making it possible to make mid-air adjustments and pixel-perfect jumps. The game also looks just as good as it did on consoles, retaining its smooth frame rate and crisp 2D animations.

The campaign could use some creative spark, but it’s the staying power of the multiplayer that wins the day. If you look to get the most out of your money with video game purchases, you can’t go wrong with Battlefield Bad Company 2.

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.

Despite a few fumbles with the new multiplayer option and the throwaway storyline, it's a polished adventure that easily justifies its reasonable $20 price tag. But, even better, this is a game that begs for multiple playthroughs.

The missions, characters, mechanics and flow have all been dramatically improved...It's one of those rare games that's so gripping, you want everyone to play it. Not just those who are already fond of the genre.

Proof that truly excellent games are timeless. The bump in visuals is nice, and the added content makes it worth playing even for those who have already achieved Ryu’s vengeance on the Xbox.

A rare breed. Despite being a veritable grandfather of console RPGs, a galvanized retranslation and timeless gameplay make for a feline that simply refuses to age. If you missed it the first time, don’t miss it again.

More than in years past, NHL 11's enhancements will be noticed by a select clientele. It's a product of fan feedback and number crunching, but for that core group of fans, most of the cheese has been cut, making for a rewarding game that's greater than the sum of its updates.

This is one of the best installments in the series, and the new mechanics introduced in X and Y could turn into something even more significant and refined in the future, paving the way for truly spectacular evolution.

While there are areas that could be further developed and we’d certainly like to be able to collect the handful of doodads we’ve missed, make no mistake that Ori and the Blind Forest is a satisfying adventure. It doesn’t aim for style over substance, but evokes joy in movement, challenging you without being too punishing.

The Xbox 360 version has some rough edges, but these annoyances aren't significant enough to sully the experience. The Witcher 2 is a beauty to behold with a rich, involving fiction framing strategic and challenging combat. Most of all, its mature implementation of morality, choice, and consequence is a step forward that more games would be wise to follow.

Hearthstone is thoughtful and complex, but at the same time welcoming and almost irresistible. It may just be a card game, but it often feels like so much more.

As with its predecessors, it's a rare game that earns its difficulty through the weight of its decisions rather than its gameplay, and it sets an increasingly high bar for narrative excellence in video games.

You’ll feel a bizarre motivation to uncover each of more than a dozen endings, even when the game is openly mocking you for doing so. The insults speak to a larger truth and may make you question what it means to play games at all. This introspection, however, will have you laughing the entire time.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void is a fitting conclusion to the story that began sixteen years ago. It lays a solid foundation for multiplayer which we expect to be tweaked and balanced for years to come. It offers multiple ways for new players to learn in a less intimidating environment, and the emphasis on micro-managing individual units keeps experienced players on their toes. Whether or not this is truly the end for the series, StarCraft II doesn’t leave you wondering what could have been, but establishes a legacy that will be worthy of honor for years to come.

With an immersive world, crisp combat, and a venomous gameplay hook that refuses to let up, Diablo 3 delivers a slick revitalization of the action RPG, even if it isn't a complete re-invention of it. If you've yet to repent for your grubby, loot hoarding ways, consider this your next guilty indulgence.

FIFA 11 doesn't deliver anything truly revolutionary, but it does improve on nearly every aspect of an already-stellar game. It'd be nice to see something truly revolutionary for the franchise in next year's installment, but considering that FIFA 11 is the most polished, refined entry in the series to date, it's hard not to recommend it to even the most discerning of football fans.

Despite a few wrinkles, LittleBigPlanet is a wonderful outlet for creativity and a great fit on the handheld. While the gameplay won't convert those who weren't already enamored with the series, its longtime admirers are guaranteed to burlap it up.