As I said up, though: good unique? Bad unique? Even after finishing it, I’m still not sure. Still, leaving me feeling so uncertain must be a sign Heal is doing something right, and for that reason, I’d probably recommend puzzle fans check it out.

Military actions will no longer be made from the other side of the ocean, but where it really matters. Responsibility will be put into the hands of the men who represent our great country.

There’s just enough happening in each facet of pirate life to make it transcend the past days of simplicity, but not so much that you’d rather be playing it on your wide screen TV or monitor.

The sound is another area in which The Smoking Mirror excels. Although there isn't a constant soundtrack playing, haunting music often accompanies certain actions, much like the original "Tomb Raider."

All in all, though, Pneuma: Breath of Life does a whole lot more right than it does wrong. I don't think anyone's going to be shortlisting it for the title of Best Game Ever any time soon, mind you, but it's a solid enough game that it can be enjoyed on its own terms, rather than as just a lousy Portal clone.

To sum it all up, Nintendo has created a very fun and fresh take on the team based shooter genre, all while making it accessible to just about anyone.

The gameplay is easily as deep and challenging as "Links" and "Tiger Woods." Those games are traditional, while Outlaw Golf is irreverent and usually bawdy enough that it's best avoided by the faint of heart.

Disappointment with the Dojo mode aside, Samurai Shodown is an extremely competent title. It is not a difficult title to pick up. Matches manages to capture the tension of a life or death duel, where one errant move can mean being cut down. Visually it is probably the most vibrant the series has seen, with some stages which are breathtaking. This release is welcoming to newcomers as well as veterans to the series. Hopefully this title will lead to a renaissance for this series and there will be many more ways to embrace death.

Sure, the gameplay is great, but at the same time, it's not the kind of game that you'd want to be caught playing in public for fear of feeling like you belong on a sex offender registry. In other words, the whole rubbing up and down motion is kind of appropriate since, like the action it simulates, it's something you'll most likely want to do in the privacy of your own home.

And that’s the key takeaway from World War Z on the Switch: it’s fun. It may not be the prettiest game, nor is it the most original, but when you’re mowing down row after row of zombies, it more than does the trick.

Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Edition is a great PC port that will suit those looking for a casual platforming or puzzle experience, along with the hardcore speedrunners looking for a challenge.

Even with the Crash Mode being a let down, Burnout Legends is easily one of the best racers on the Nintendo DS. The fact that Criterion has put all the little nuances of the Burnout series in one little DS cart is amazing.

Along with great platforming action and pretty graphics, Abe’s Exoddus is riddled with some of the highest quality and most hilarious video sequences I’ve ever experienced.

It’s a gorgeous, meditative experience that will give you plenty of time to reflect, which makes it unlike nearly any other game I’ve ever played.

Like getting an unexpected gift envelope from a good friend. The single-player campaign? It's the receiving of the surprise itself - short but nice. The multiplayer component, however, is like opening up the envelope and finding a certificate for a year's supply of free lap dances at Scores - it absolutely can't be beat.

FIFA 08 is not only the best EA soccer game in years, but one of the best soccer titles in recent memory.

Whatever problems there are in the one player mode, the party games more than make up for them.

inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood is like a streamlined, more horror-themed version of inFAMOUS 2, and it serves as a nice extension to the proper game and as a good starting point for those who never got around to actually playing it. It's definitely worth checking out if you have an interest in the series or the vampire-themed story and gameplay.

While some gamers will be turned off by the lack of total simulation, they still may be intrigued by the extras EA threw in for good measure such as the deep dynasty, slam-dunk contest, and three-point shootout.

The challenge is tough too. You'll be hard pressed to make it though the movie mode on normal difficulty without a good number of continues.

It does a great job of mixing humor, art, and gameplay into an experience that rarely falls flat.

Rebelstar: Tactical Command's shortcomings are vastly outweighed by the ingenius design and fun gameplay.

The biggest difference between 2K9 and 2K10 is My Player mode. It's yet another new take on a single player version of the game, and it adds a layer to what is already an high-octane version of basketball.

Yes, it has been said; the game is short. I admit that I was very surprised when the credits rolled and it had only been a couple of hours. The thing is, with a fun single (or co-op) game mixed with some great online multiplayer action, I don't think you can really go wrong with Snoopy Flying Ace.

Although TTT doesn't innovate or provide tons of replay value options as Namco's Dreamcast opus "Soul Calibur," it is nearly perfect in what it does--and it is guaranteed to provide you with hours upon hours of solid fighting enjoyment.

Dishonored 2 however had the high bar set for it already, and it reached it without overshooting it. It was just as good as the original, and had some great improvements that set it apart but at the end of the day felt marginally better than the amazing original. This is by no means a bad thing and is a definite testament to the skill and passion the team at Arkane have in this industry.

Despite initial trepidation of the public regarding a new Puzzle Fighter, Capcom put out a version that slightly strays from the original but is still very fun. With adequate support this title definitely has long legs.

The fielding is great in the infield and a nightmare in the outfield.