Now with the loss of those overachieving looks and through the passage of time, no amount of bonus missions or unlockables can make up for the lack of engaging gameplay.

A somewhat major retooling of the combat system has allowed a one-trick pony another chance, as it seems to be a step in the right direction for bringing back those alienated by the milking of ancient Oriental history.

In an ideal world, Buildings Have Feelings Too! would have found a way to couple its inventive premise and fun aesthetic with equally enjoyable gameplay. As it stands, however, there’s just too great a disconnect between the two to make the game worth your while.

Doesn't offer anything the previous two didn't, a generic role-playing game in every sense of the world. But it's playable, and hey, if you're really craving a role-playing game, I guess that's better than nothing.

It's a ridiculously easy game, and doesn't take a whole lot of time to finish off the single player mode. While I do appreciate that the mini-games are somewhat fresh and definitely varied, they're hardly going to keep anyone's attention for very long, even the younger players that this might appeal to.

A credible first effort, but it’s not enough to knock off NBA Street from its throne, gambling options aside.

While it may seem like I'm being harsh on a game that costs as much as lunch at your favorite burrito shack, I can't help but feel this game does absolutely nothing to draw anyone in, especially where there are other racers that do it better at the same price or cheaper with more replay value and heaven forbid some kind of online interaction.

It’s good, but not great. Download with caution.

I felt like a ten year-old throughout most of the playtime, thanks to how both generic and dumbed down the game felt for the most part.

A tutorial or "How to Play" movie would've gone a long way here. Instead newcomers are left fumbling in the dark, which tends to be more frustrating than fun.

The only reason to play further in the story is to play as someone else, but once you get there, you grow tired all over again.

I don’t know that I’d put it above other established franchises in the genre just yet, but if you have some affinity for Marvel and its characters along with Diablo clones, there’s certainly worse ways to pass the time than this.

At the end of the day it's all about fun, and Heavy Metal serves it up in spades.

Fatal Shadows took a big step backwards by not making any improvements over "Wrath of Heaven." Stay away. You’ve been warned.

Paradox Interactive has made an extremely faithful recreation of the board game and its rules. Every rule, every detail is folowed to letter.

Even though Ninja Gaiden 3 is definitely a watered down experience in comparison to the previous two games, it still sits well above other mediocre action games available on current-gen hardware. And while I can't help but feel massively disappointed with the final product, I'll allow that the game is going to be far more accessible than it's ever been, and there's little in the way of a difficulty hurdle if you play through the default setting.

The enemies you fight are the definition of repetitive. They are the same type of demon you see in the movie except in seven or eight very subtle variations.

It's not going to evoke strong feelings in you, and it generally seems to exist just so other games can seem way, way better and way, way worse.

There are one or two areas where Dark Rose Valkyrie kinda-sorta stands out: it makes fast-forwarding through the battles, the explainer screens, and the dialogue a breeze, which is nice, because the game features far too much of all three. Unfortunately, the game is also lacking in enough areas that its positives are negated entirely. The camera is terrible; you may not have to use it that often, but when you do, you’ll probably curse its existence. Likewise, the main character has a weird habit of grunting when he runs. This may not sound like much, but when you hear grunts for a few minutes as you try to figure out where to go next, it gets more and more grating.

The title tosses in a generic story and characters in senseless gameplay.

An average action RPG when it was released on the PC two years ago, and the transition from the PC to the PlayStation certainly has not been the easiest for the game.

Tales of the Shire is nothing if not low stakes and low stress. But it also makes for an extremely dull experience if you want even the slightest bit more than that, which makes it very hard to recommend.

For the first DS FPS out the door, Goldeneye: Rouge Agent will more than fit the bill on both the lack of titles that have been offered the last couple months, and the lack of any real action titles too.

If you're desperate for something really, really hard, I guess give it a shot, but don't expect it to be much more than a forgettable time-waster that you play between other, more distinctive games.

The Caligula Effect's combat is undoubtedly a major point in the game's favour, but when you stack it up against a forgettable story, terrible music, and a camera that doesn't want to cooperate, it's hard to say that it's nearly enough to make the game worth checking out.

In fact, I'd say that if that pop idol simulation thing appeals to you, you're better off just grabbing Hyperdimension Neptunia: Producing Perfection for the Vita, indulging your inner J-Pop mogul's every whim there, and forgetting this game even exists. And if it doesn't? Then you may as well have a nap, because that would basically replicate the Omega Quintet experience.

The 2D gameplay hits some bright spots but is hampered by the new, boring 3D sections. There isn't much to keep you playing other than to relive a shred of Mega Man gameplay in 3D.

The area where the gameplay lacks is the variety on moves, combos, and just providing ways to keep gamers interested after the smoke and mirrors of the visuals wear off.