It doesn’t bring anything new to gameplay, but considering DA:O’s battle system was already pretty darn good, no one can fault them for not trying anything new.

Order of War: Challenge feels more like a foundation than a complete experience. It’s polished and has plenty of options for setting up games, but questionable troop-types and the lack of advanced, tactical features keep Challenge in the shadows of other RTS games.

While the jump from the new Easy mode to the standard Normal difficulty is a bit too sharp, the game still does a fantastic job of capitalizing on the series’ best elements.

There’s not much else out on the Xbox Live Arcade like Scrap Metal, so it’s definitely an unique experience.

A game that impresses easily – merely looking at this game will have eyes popping and jaws dropping. However, get beyond that and there is a very linear game with many prototypical J-RPG elements in place. While there is some latitude for how battles are fought, for the most part, the game holds the player’s hand and escorts them through this fantastical land that is part fantasy and part sci-fi.

Assassin's Creed II is a great romp through the past and a present that lingers on the precipice of becoming bleak and controlled.

Taking way too long to become compelling, the game is among the most facetious RPGs on the market. It wants to play the part, but alas, it’s only playing one big practical joke on the gamer.

While the controls are pretty solid and easy to get the hang of, the game is a very boring and uninspired affair.

Toy Soldiers is the best tower defense game on the Xbox Live Arcade.

Even though the single-player campaign still isn’t where it needs to be, Bad Company 2 is definitely a great sequel that builds on its predecessor in every way, making for one that no shooter fan will want to miss, especially if you go online for your gaming.

Even though the single-player campaign still isn’t where it needs to be, Bad Company 2 is definitely a great sequel that builds on its predecessor in every way, making for one that no shooter fan will want to miss, especially if you go online for your gaming.

Even though the single-player campaign still isn’t where it needs to be, Bad Company 2 is definitely a great sequel that builds on its predecessor in every way, making for one that no shooter fan will want to miss, especially if you go online for your gaming.

With a lack of polish and an unfinished feel, chalk this one up to an experience that could’ve been a great one, but definitely isn’t.

A few errors are made here, but the series has, nonetheless, been reinvigorated.

Lunar: Silver Star Harmony’s engrossing story, lovable characters, and newly redrawn visuals make it a great on-the-go RPG for fans and newcomers alike, but the long load times and grind-heavy combat system keep it from being unbeatable.

While the game is not perfect it is a far sight better than previous iterations. Years ago there was a MVP baseball game on the PC that was top-drawer (IMO) and MLB 10 rivals, if not exceeds, that. Top to bottom, this is an entertaining game to look at and play.

Graphically this game scores well, and though the overall gameplay is nothing that has not been experienced before, the game still has a nice rhythm to it. It is what it is – a game adaptation of a movie, slightly offbeat, but accessible.

ATV Quad Kings was a missed opportunity. Being a huge fan of games like PURE and MX vs. ATV Reflex, I was hoping for a similarly-styled game on the go, but in the end was sadly disappointed.

There’s fun to be had here, but nothing that is substantially unique from similar servings already in the genre.

While the game offers few changes over the 2009 version, and even takes a step back with the removal of online play, this still a deep baseball game with tons of great features.

While the jump from the new Easy mode to the standard Normal difficulty is a bit too sharp, the game still does a fantastic job of capitalizing on the series’ best elements. If you enjoyed the franchise’s old-school reboot last year, then you owe it to yourself to pick this one up as well.

The game can be frustrating while you get the hang of maneuvering your ships, the combat is a little shallow, and the bizarre approach to the storytelling and presentation is radical. However, if you let it, Flotilla can also be rewarding and entertaining.

There are some flaws, but taken as a package Heavy Rain is a remarkable achievement in gaming that creates an interactive experience that goes beyond the pages of a good novel or film noir. This is a game that needs to be experienced.

Reverse of Arcadia doesn't bring anything too new to the table when it comes to dueling itself, but the added character movement, massive amounts of cards to acquire, in-depth tutorials to read over, online multiplayer, and a duel calculator for real card duels are all part of an excellent package that any true Yu-Gi-Oh fan should own.

The campaign is super-short (clocking in at a little under an hour from start to finish), but this is a game that is meant to be played over and over again. Just don't expect much in the way of innovation.

There's not much more to say. Pass on this one unless you are the most hardcore of RPG players. Even then stop and reassess if you're really sure about this. Maybe go for a walk and clear your head. If you're still determined, have at it. You are one of the special few.

Point-and-click absurdity that places the order of completion before player creativity.

Risen loses a bit in the porting process to the Xbox 360, but aside from the technical shortcomings, this is still a pretty solid experience that brings some good things to the RPG table.