The handling in Forza Motorsport 4 is a huge step up from its predecessor, giving you an unprecedented level of control and feel for the car.

Like coal turned to diamonds, Dark Souls is capable of compressing frustration and hardship into deep satisfaction.

The good news for beat-'em-up fans is that the combat is fast, furious, and mostly satisfying. The bad news is that repetitive enemy types, lack of cooperative play, and confining levels are decidedly not. Even on the hardest difficulty setting, you'll beat the game within seven hours.

We never imagined that the RPG elements would be so vast or deftly handled, resulting in a pleasant surprise. A near-perfect mix of first-person shooting and role-playing, it's a nice fit for those who felt too detached from the gun play in Fallout 3 or Mass Effect.

However important its place in the lore may be, this DLC simply doesn't play very well to the main game's strengths.

The team at EA has taken a chance on new features and a rather risky adjustment to the core gameplay that has paid off in nearly every regard. More realistic pacing, in-depth controls both on and off the ball, enhanced online and offline experiences, and the ability to constantly share your passion for all things soccer combine to make FIFA 12 the complete package.

A basic port disguised as a major overhaul. Capcom included online leaderboards for the main game as well as paltry trophy and achievement support, but the most earnestly competitive component--the battle mode--is neglected without any leaderboards.

It's hard to overlook White Knight Chronicles' flaws the second time around. The subtle improvements don't have a huge impact on the bottom line, and the game lacks the refinements expected of a sequel. If you're looking for an RPG that delivers both a lengthy single-player mode and comprehensive online component, there are far better choices available.

Rochard has a fair number of idiosyncrasies, including its off-key attempt at Southern, blue-collar comedy humor, but its heart is in the right place. It's not on-point 100 percent of the time, and it doesn't concern itself with optional modes or bonus content, but you'll mine more fun than frustration from this endeavor.

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.

Tacked-on Kinect support is far from the only sign that Crash is not your typical Burnout game. But by focusing squarely on the type of play that the series is best known for, Crash successfully captures its spirit. You'll likely put it through its paces pretty quickly, but there are worse ways to spend 800 Microsoft points.

As much a swansong for the DS as Kirby Super Star was for the SNES before it, Mass Attack delivers a sweet final tune for those who still haven't traded up to Nintendo's latest portable.

Brutally satisfying.

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.

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.

The Gunstringer is short, has some control issues, and isn't especially deep in modes and options, but if you're looking for something substantial to play with your Kinect there aren't many better options.

Does what it intends to do quite well. This is a game that begs you to replay those four hours. Take it for a spin with a harder difficulty setting or focus on a different set of weapons, and you'll feel like you're playing a different game.

A fantastic experience that's sure to make new fans with innovative new multiplayer options that give players plenty of room to experiment and find their niche. There are moments in every act of the campaign that would serve as grand finales in most other games, and it's done so well that it will make you want to play through the whole series all over again.

The very embodiment of addicting.

Despite seeming derivative and plain on the surface, Space Marine succeeds in forging its own style. The action remains enjoyable no matter how many enemies you cut down or blast away, and the other elements of the game successfully support the core experience.

It is essentially the spiritual successor to Gauntlet Legends. Yet those weaned on games like Diablo will find the content too shallow to merit consideration. The limited loot, lack of randomized dungeons, and loss of leveling ultimately undermines this Alliance before it has a chance to shine.

It's best to look at Tropico 4 as port of entry for new players. If you've never set sail for the island paradise's sunny climes, you'll be happy to know that the improvements allow you to enjoy a more accessible version of Tropico 3 without feeling like they've dumbed-down the content.

The lack of any online functionality hurts the bottom line, but the series has never been renowned for its multiplayer components. This is the perfect chance to get acquainted with StarFox if you've missed out after all these years, but this classic game from the 90's is merely a good game today.

A game that's about as off the wall as they come, but at a modest 800 Microsoft points, it's one that definitely warrants a spin. Cheeky and challenging in all the right ways, you'll find nothing quite like it amidst today's typical downloadable fare.

With its shallow multiplayer modes and brief campaign, Bodycount's long-term play value is limited, making it more suitable for renting than purchasing. Had the developers spent more time in fleshing out the game's modes, play mechanics, and options, Bodycount might have been more memorable than your average B-action movie. Sadly, it's not.

It's difficult avoid feeling nostalgia after playing Ico and Shadow of the Colossus again after all these years, and while the core of each experience withstands the test of time, the control issues that were easy to overlook the first time around simply can't be ignored today.

Disgaea's bizarre story and ridiculous characters are difficult to tolerate, but it's the grueling challenge that'll ultimately make many cower away. However, underneath all the style and flash is an intricate RPG that forces you to dig in deep and puts your brains to the test.

As far as we're concerned, the Driver series has a new lease on life. This latest jaunt to San Francisco will keep you playing for hours, with an enormous campaign brimming with challenges and a multiplayer package that benefits enormously from the novel mechanics that define the experience.