This is a decent expansion to the best 4X-RTS-in-space out there. A real treat for newcomers to the game, veterans might find the $40 price tag a little steep for an expansion that is more evolutionary than revolutionary.

Gas Guzzlers: Combat Carnage is a goofy, entertaining battle racer with a good sense of humor and plenty of variety, provided you get past the brutally difficult intro. Gamepires is already releasing patches for the game so hopefully they open up more than just the solitary grinding race at the beginning of the game. For now, though, you'll need to suffer first before this games gives up all it has to offer.

Not only is Starved for Death a great episode, but it also shows that The Walking Dead has more to show us than just zombie fighting. There's a story here that is unlike anything I've seen in a zombie game, which is really saying something given how many zombie games there are. It's not for everybody, but fans of the pilot will this atmospheric second episode up!

Dragon's Dogma may not be the best game of 2012, but it is certainly one of the most surprising. Intense and refined combat help an otherwise average RPG become something special. This game redefines the concept of boss battles with confrontations of epic proportions. The future is bright for this new IP.

They say war is hell; Spec Ops: The Line, however, is not. Oh, it is no doubt for Martin Walker, John Konrad, and the poor people of Dubai, but for the player, Spec Ops: The Line just puts the fun back into the word fundamental with a solidly written and acted story, well-constructed gameplay, and perfectly adequate multiplayer.

Rock Of Ages is a weird but fun take on the tower defense genre. Its a fast, challenging and intense game that is worth your time and money. If you can get past the difficult controls there is much fun to be had.

Playing Game of Thrones is just like sitting on the Iron Throne itself - there's a lot there to find fulfilling, but you'll cut yourself on the sharp edges if you're not ready for them.

Inversion is yet another derivative third-person shooter with a gimmick. This time around you control gravity in the most limited way possible. Although there are plenty of strong moments, the game is ultimately brought back down to earth with the never ending cinemas, repeating bosses, ugly graphics and frustrating level designs!

Starhawk is truly a gem in the PlayStation lineup of 2012. Frantic and addictive multiplayer combined with some unique gameplay elements make for one of the best multiplayer experiences available in the industry today. It's just too bad that the multiplayer experience fails to carry over to the single-player campaign.

Armored Core V is big, explosive and full of good ideas. Too bad the game is nearly incomprehensible. Thankfully the game's strong online component and roughly one hundred levels make up for some of the learning curve problems, but don't go into this game looking for an easy ride!

Chuck E. Cheese's Arcade Room is a painful collection of four mediocre mini-games and an out of place racer. The dated graphics and questionable design decisions aren't helping anything. With only two easy modes, players will see everything there is to see within a half hour. At least you don't have to eat the pizza!

With its Don Bluth animations and movie-quality production values, Dragon's Lair is the best looking game of the 1980s. Unfortunately, in order to look so good the game had to make a few sacrifices. As a result we're left with a shallow "action" game that is little more than Simon Says. Not even the gimmicky Kinect support makes this game worth playing more than once!

MLB 2K12 has made some strong strides to improve the overall product. Pitching, as one would expect with the Million Dollar Challenge, is the strongest aspect of this game, and it can be fun if a player enjoys just doing that. The hitting system has taken great strides, but a lackluster My Player mode and many little glitches and graphical blunders take away from an overall product. Improvement still needs to be there in order to get to the big leagues of gaming.

Max Payne 3's bold and different direction from series' norms has resulted in a lackluster narrative and infuriating gameplay difficulty. A well-polished presentation and hectic gun battles aren't able to redeem the lack of a memorable and worthwhile narrative, an aspect that's defined the Max Payne series since its creation. Even with Max Payne in the game's title, the actual content couldn't be further from the truth.

Has Blizzard created a game that can last as long as Diablo 2 has? I don't know, but Diablo3 is an absolutely stellar game that everyone can enjoy, provided they've got a stable internet connection, and the time to find all that sweet, sweet loot.

The Pinball Arcade is an excellent platform for emulating the classic tables that made the pinball genre as great as it was. An accurate physics engine and an insane attention to the level of details make the future bright for the game. Now FarSight just needs to begin putting its licensing agreements to use and roll out more tables as well as make use of the various features being promised. Until then, it fails to live up to its potential.

World Gone Sour is a fun little game with a few surprises and flaws. However, for $5 you should get a decent value for your money without getting force-fed Sour Patch Kids advertising.

StarDrone Extreme feels so much better than the original release; this game feels as if it was meant to be on the Vita from the start. It has that same old-school, beat-your-school appeal of a classic arcade game and the gameplay fits perfectly with the abilities of Sony's new handheld.

The Witcher 2 is a highly recommended purchase for those seeking a mature and visceral role-playing experience.

The art style might be a hard sell for some people, and if that's the case they'll be missing out on one of the best new fighting game franchises in recent memory. Here's to hoping that Reverge Labs and Autumn Games can release a "Super Skullgirls" in the near future.

Prototype 2's James Heller out superheroes every other superhero that's ever appeared in a videogame. He's faster and stronger than Batman, more focused than the Hulk, has a larger arsenal than Spiderman, and is funnier than Superman. In other words: Prototype 2 is the ultimate power fantasy.

The end of the current Tropico engine is a pretty cool place. Recommended for anybody looking for a breezy, colorful city-builder.

Don't let The Splatters' obscure XBLA release and goofy first impression scare you off. It's much better than the churning majority of physics puzzle games stinking up app stores and digital services these days. What you'll find is a quirky, funny arcade game that takes a lot more skill and timing than you'd expect. For puzzle and arcade fans it's definitely worth the 800 MS point price of admission.

Confusion over the name aside, Mortal Kombat on the PS Vita is a must-own for any fighting game fan. Not only does it have all of the amazing content from last year's stellar console release, but it also features substantial new modes that are more than worth the $40 asking price. Without a doubt, this is the definitive version of Mortal Kombat!

A decent game if you just want to engage in tactical combat set in a fantasy world, and don't really care about the RPG aspects.

Deep Black: Reloaded is an underwater Gears of War clone. While a good idea in theory, the execution here is all wrong. Frustrating action, poor checkpointing, boring level designs and enemies that take far too many bullets to kill. There are some good ideas here, but you have to dive deep to find them!

After conquering Sam & Max, Monkey Island and Back to the Future, Telltale is ready to prove that they know a thing or two about zombies. If A New Day is any indication, then The Walking Dead game is going to be the must-play zombie game of the year. Stylish visuals accompany a well written adventure full of memorable characters and genuine scares!

I'm no artist, but I had fun with Colors 3D. Even though there are a couple things I wish were incorporated that were not, checking out the gallery made me realize the potential of this program. For only $6.99, it's definitely one to recommend to pass the time if you like to draw and paint.

Equal parts brilliant old-school action game, tired last-gen title, and brutal masochistic fever dream, the Devil May Cry HD collection slaps a dubious coat of paint on a classic series and asks the world to pretend it's new and relevant. While fans of the series will dig it, everyone else will be better served by dusting off their PS2s and borrowing a copy of the original Devil May Cry from a friend.

After spending some time with Tropico 4: Modern Times, it's hard to resist the temptation of spending a few more hours of ruling as either a beloved or hated dictator. The addition of amusing structures and edicts along with a lengthy and quirky campaign create for quite a memorable gaming experience. Often challenged with important questions, gamers are truly given complete freedom in defining their reign as El Presidente.

Fans of the fighting game aspects of the Naruto franchise would do well to think it over before picking up Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations. The combat is definitely the high point, but there isn't much beyond that.

Sumioni is a mixed bag. While it is a solid action game in terms of its foundation, the overall execution of the idea and obtrusive touch screen controls prevent the complete package from excelling.

Capcom isn't sure what it wants to do with the Resident Evil series. Should it be an action game or survival horror? Scary or thrilling? One thing is for sure, it definitely shouldn't be like Operation Raccoon City. This multiplayer third-person shooter has a few good ideas, but not enough to warrant picking up this disappointing spin-off!

From the explosive tankers to the destructible environments, Shatter Bay makes a great first impression. Franchise loyalists may be turned off by this brand new direction, but anybody who loves Burnout will have a blast playing through Ridge Racer Unbounded. It's not without a few problems, but Namco's newest racer packs enough content to make up for any imperfection!

Although it comes packed with several new career paths and a brand new town, Showtime is really still just a few more goodies in the Sims universe. Good for fans, but won't win over any converts.

Zack Zero stumbles through his adventure to save his beautiful girlfriend. Unfortunately, the game's puzzles are too simple and the story is never compelling. On the other hand, the graphics are incredible and there's a lot of variety to the stage backgrounds. Fans of 16-bit platformers will get a kick out of some of the concepts, but you're better off finding a Sega Genesis on eBay!

From the addictive loot gathering to the endless slaughter of robot overlords, Shoot Many Robots offers hours of chaotic and entertaining gameplay. Unfortunately, issues of repetition and a difficult single-player experience distract from the overall experience. Shoot Many Robots can only be recommended to gamers that are willing to take their fight against the robot apocalypse online.

Warp isn't a game about shooting down aliens and thumping your chest; instead you play the alien and kill every human that moves. This turns out to be a lot of fun thanks to the puzzles solving and Metal Gear Solid-style stealth sequences. It's over a little too quickly, but people that pay the ten dollars won't feel cheated!

FIFA Street is the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of gaming. Equal parts glorious and monstrous, it will leave you ultimately disappointed, if not completely filled with rage. Maybe Icarus is a better metaphor. It flies so close to greatness but invariably crashes and burns. Either way, play FIFA Street at your own risk.

Unit 13 is a great little shooter for playing "on the go". Don't be fooled by the look, this isn't nearly as technical or tactical as it looks. Zipper Interactive's swan song is a purely "arcade" experience from beginning to end where your one and only goal it taking out the bad guys with quickness and finesse.

Like Pushmo, I really enjoyed my time with Zuma's Revenge and it's definitely a game I'll go to for a quick puzzle fix. I am a little disappointed that there's no wi-fi multiplayer, the boss battles can get a tad annoying, and the difficulty can increase a little quickly for some people. Then again, no one said Zuma was easy.

Take the tower defense genre, fold it back onto itself, slap it with Command & Conquer and you'll get Anomaly: Warzone Earth. What you get with Anomaly: Warzone Earth is a solid, if unspectacular, tower offense game that's maybe just a hair too thin and unbalanced to truly be something special

Uncharted: Golden Abyss delivers a solid action game full of large scale shoot outs and climbing. Sadly, this Sony Bend developed launch title is marred by a lack of variety in the environments and too many tacked-on mini-games. It may not be as ambitious as Uncharted 3, but Golden Abyss is yet another worthwhile chapter in Nathan Drake's increasingly travelogue.

Even though the F stands for Future, it could also stand for fantastic. Tales of Graces F is a must-have for JRPG fans with its excellent gameplay and wealth of content.

Touch My Katamari is a step in the right direction for the franchise, it's a lot of fun. Best of all, it doesn't cram the Vita's touch controls down your throat and makes good use of the hardware.

There is simply no better way to spend your money on the Vita platform right now. Slick visuals, a rocking score, and simple-yet-addictive gameplay will keep Super Stardust Delta in rotation on your system for a long, long time.

Sine Mora combines the best of 2D shooters with a dark storyline you have to see to believe. The result is an exciting action game that will remind gamers everywhere why they loved R-Type, Gradius and countless other horizontal shooters. Even with a short running time, Sine Mora is still a must-own shoot-em-up for the Xbox Live Arcade!

Deadly 30 is one of those games that frustrates me, but it's not necessarily the game's fault. I was questionable about how meshing three genres together would work, and the result isn't that bad of a game, as long as you know what you're doing from day to day. Definitely not for everyone, but not a bad game for a $5 download.

World Invitational is classic Hot Shots through and through, which is both good and bad. The game is a blast and has plenty of content to keep fans occupied for a long, long time but ultimately it doesn't do anything to further the series or draw new fans to the experience.

SFxT is the fighting game to have at the moment. Its deep gameplay and a huge variety of modes will keep fighting fans busy both online and off for a long, long time. If Capcom could have addressed some of the sound problems that exist online and supplement the inability to see the various endings and movies you experience, this could have been the perfect fighting game.

The Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition extras are a little light, but that shouldn't keep you away from picking up one of the best fighting games in recent memory. This version comes with a Skrillex-enhanced soundtrack and a voucher for the feature film. It's not as complete as it could have been, but this Komplete Edition is still worth snatching up for first time buyers!

Johnny Gat is back ... kind of. This comic book-influenced expansion pack introduces us to a super fan that clones the most famous member of the Third Street Saints. Too bad the short play time and shallow experience keep this from living up to the potential. Not even super powers can save this lazy pack of downloadable content!

It may not be as flashy as Uncharted or wipEout, but Plants vs. Zombies makes up for that by offering a ton of great content. Sony's powerful hardware ends up making this one of the best versions of this Pop Cap hit. This download-only title will be the game you come back to time and time again, making it a fantastic investment!

It's getting harder to improve upon a title that has seemingly thought of everything for its fanbase. EA Tiburon did a great job in bringing Tiger Woods into the home as not just a golfer, but as a member of their own family with his Legacy mode. The Kinect makes this title that much better. There are some minor issues with the new swing mechanics that increase the difficulty perhaps a bit too much, but once you get past those, you'll find that Tiger 13 is just another solid title in one of EA's more under-appreciated franchises.

Fans of RC Pro-Am rejoice, because MotorStorm RC is here to resurrect the long dead remote controlled car genre. Featuring locations from all four MotorStorm games, this RC variation is the most diverse installment yet. Even without a dedicated multiplayer mode, MotorStorm RC offers more than enough content.

Fans of Alan Wake and the paranormal should immediately add American Nightmare to their download queue.

Asura's Wrath is an incredible experience, but not exactly a great game. You spend as much, if not more, time watching cut-scenes as you do actually controlling Asura. There is a lot of promise to this concept, but I am not sure it's implementation belongs in a full-priced, retail game.

The concept of controlling a wave of light is executed flawlessly through beautifully rendered levels and a challenging, but addictive gameplay experience. Gamers looking for a truly unique and innovative experience shouldn't hesitate to add Waveform to their list of must-play games this year.

Syndicate might not offer the same amount of content as comparable first-person shooters, but the cyberpunk visuals and innovative cybernetic powers combine for a highly-entertaining and worthwhile experience.

It's the end of Shepard's story. What does that mean to you? For me, it means the end of one of the best video game and science fiction franchises ever. The final scenes take a decidedly classic sci-fi turn that surely won't make everyone happy, but that was never a real option. Instead it maintains BioWare's unique vision and approach toward game development. Regardless of the rest of it, that makes Mass Effect 3 a rousing success.

Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack may look like an unassuming LocoRoco rip-off, but in actuality it's Katamari Damacy with a demented undercurrent. This quirky platformer basks in the glory of 1950s science fiction films; all while offering a solid action/puzzler that feels right at home on the PS Vita!

I actually enjoyed the game. It's not meant to be a fast-paced action game, but a game to make you pay attention to what's going on around you, and to think about what you're doing and what kind of impact it'll have on the outcome. The major misstep was giving to option to replay any scenario in an episode, as it pretty much kills the replay value, but other than that, I really enjoyed this game.

Grand Slam Tennis 2 has a good visual product with quality stadiums and good gameplay. However, there is a lot of work that needs to be done with the career mode to make this game have a much higher replay value than what it has currently. After three years of releasing the first title, it is concerning that this was the final product.

A mixture of fun ideas and careful gameplay with excessive micromanagement and poor AI make for a game that has its moments, but falls apart under fire.

It took a couple years, but Klei has finally perfected Shank's combat. This action-packed sequel is strong on violence and short of depth, not unlike the movies its making fun of. Still, even with the improved combat and art direction, I miss the Tarantino flavors of the first game. Shank 2 is a fun romp!

Alan Wake comes to the PC and brings his paranormal curse with him, completely intact. The same defining horror experience is here, occasionally marred by outdated graphics and quirky character animation, but everything else works like a charm. The extra DLC chapters are also included, so book your trip to Bright Falls today...you won't soon forget it.

Dear Esther is an auditory and visual experience that interweaves a consuming narrative and array of emotions. The game's actual value must not be solely based upon its gameplay length, but rather on the random elements and new secrets discovered through multiple playthroughs. Those that brave the journey into the narrative and world of Dear Esther will discover an experience that few games have been available to accomplish in years. Highly recommended.

Life in space is probably not easy, so it's no surprise that there is a distinctly tough learning curve in Evochron Mercenary. Those with enough interest and diligence to stick with it, though, will be rewarded with deep, unfettered space sandbox game play.

Dustforce is a challenging and sometimes frustrating platforming experience that constantly expects perfection.

Violent, absurd, and even a little fun--Shank 2 is a decent enough way to kill a few hours' time.

The uninspired gameplay, incoherent narrative, and off-color humor of Postal III result in a game that has clearly passed its expiration date.

There's no reason to be worried about SSX. After a seven year hiatus, Electronic Arts has decided to retool their best extreme sports franchise. The result is a fast-paced action experience that offers an impressive collection of real life mountains to conquer. The only thing missing is a real multiplayer mode.

While survival-horror definitely isn't my best genre, Resident Evil: Revelations is easily one of the best 3DS games I've played to date. Just about any frustrations I've come across is due to my own lack of skill and experience with the franchise as a whole. If you're a Resident Evil fan with a 3DS, this is definitely one to pick up.

Gotham City Impostors is a solid shooter wrapped inside of an entertaining tongue and cheek presentation,which results in a very enjoyable game.The core gameplay is right in line with everything that you would expect in a modern shooter but it just so happens to also include a great sense of humor and and a great presentation style. Batman and shooter fans alike will find plenty to enjoy with the game but end up wishing that had more maps and match types in the long run.

Epic Quest may not be as ambitious as I would have liked, but it shows the developers aren't afraid to try something new. The end result is an enjoyable diversion from the usual pinball madness. If this is the future for Pinball FX 2, then Zen Studios officially has my attention!

If you're looking for a great single player campaign you're out of luck, rent BF3 or pick it up in the bargain bin. If you're looking for the best online multiplayer action then BF3 is your game hands down.

By focusing on story-based missions and a great supporting cast, Gangstas in Space proves that THQ can release compelling downloadable content for Saints Row: The Third. The three levels may be short, but it's packed full of amazing set pieces and great writing. The Third Street Saints are in fine form in this expansion pack!

Zen Studios seems to be incapable of doing wrong with the Marvel license. With this pack, you get 4 new tables for less than the price of the average standalone XBLA title. While this group isn't as strong as the previous Marvel tables, they still provide an enjoyable experience for both the Marvel and pinball fans in your house.

The Simpsons Arcade Game has a story that makes no sense, shallow gameplay, very little comedy and nonsensical boss battles. For ten dollars you're getting a brief experience that you'll likely never want to revisit. On the other hand, it's nice to see this game get a proper home console release after more than two decades!

It's not the premise that works against Flatout 3 being a good game, it's the implementation. Terribly weak AI and amorphous car control distract from what could have been an enjoyable vehicular riot.

UFC Undisputed 3 may not be flashy but it gets the job done by recreating the strategy and position game of real MMA matches along with the brutal punches and kicks. Despite an awful mini-game that decides the outcome of submission holds, once you start playing UFC Undisputed 3, it won't make you tap out anytime soon.

Amusing for a short period of time, the Asskickers will ultimately wear out its welcome in your gaming agenda in just a few hours or plays. It's a fun reminder of what the beat'em up genre has to offer, but will unfortunately remind of what is wrong with it as well. Die hard beat'em up fans only need apply... and even they won't be entertained for long.

Double Fine's Happy Action Theater isn't a great "game", but it is the best tech demo and use of Microsoft's Kinect peripheral to date. There is a simplistic joy to be found in this title and you really get out of it what you put into it. There is no purpose, no goal(s), and no real requirements to succeed. Players simply interact with a variety of environments and have a ton of fun. It may not sound like much, but it works, and the manner in which it does is almost like magic.

Quarrel is a bright idea hamstrung by a series of unfortunate design flaws, lack of offline multiplayer, balancing issues, and a desperate need to remain inoffensive.

A year after it was released on the Xbox 360, Wii and PSP, TNT Racers is making an appearance on the PlayStation 3. Inspired by Micro Machines and other 8-bit driving games, this brand new PSN offers a colorful world and a bunch of exciting (albeit frustrating) races to complete. Too bad the developers didn't spend the year making improvements to an already strong concept!

Oddly enough, King Arthur II is stuck in the same dilemma full-motion video games were: it is hard to both tell a story and give the player meaningful choices to make. In the end, the strategic and tactical elements feel like a sideshow to the railroad that is the main quest. There is fun and creativity in here, but interspersed with long stretches of tedium and frustration.

Although the hybrid first- and third-person aspects never quite work perfectly, Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath still manages to charm.

Deep, polished gameplay wrapped around an interesting and engulfing universe with all of the bells and whistles RPG and action game lovers crave spread across enough content to keep you busy for months.

I like the premise of the game, and the puzzles can be fun to solve. However, the lack of a good multiplayer mode, the lack of a puzzle creator/editor, a help system that isn't always helpful, and a $30 price tag leaves a lot to be desired with this game.

Pushmo is easily one of the best puzzle games I've ever played in quite some time. With over 200 puzzles already in the game, plus the ability to create your own, this game has quite a bit of replay value and depth to it.

Unstoppable Gorg is an enjoyable tower defense game, that is a visually entertaining to watch as it is fun to play.

Scarygirl is easily the most fun I've had with a 2D side-scrolling platformer in a long long time. If you're in the market for a platforming experience that isn't meant for gamers with 2 brains, 3 hands, and 15 fingers, then go download Scarygirl right now.

Gorgeous and robust, Soul Calibur 5 shows that there is plenty of soul still left to burn in the series. Fans will find plenty to do and should have no problem burning the candles late into the night both online and off; the only problem is that if you didn't love it before, there isn't anything new that will make you a fan now. Instead, SC5 serves as the perfect demonstration of a refined formula that, thankfully, hasn't aimed to fix anything that wasn't broken.

I had great hopes for this game, just like I had for the original title. Square Enix addressed nearly every issue from the previous title and delivered in a huge way. With a non-linear world, plenty of side quests, puzzles, and much more, Final Fantasy XIII-2 adds yet another smash hit to the RPG powerhouse.

If you're weary of last holiday's high profile first person shooters and their endless hype, Serious Sam 3's endless enemies and endless ammo are the perfect antidote. The single player campaign is a rush that rarely lets up, and it gets awesomely insane when you play it in co-op with some friends. If you missed Sam 3 over the holidays, you owe it to yourself to pick it up now.

Genkibowl VII is not the Saints Row: The Third add-on you've been waiting for. Instead it's a painfully bad mini-game collection, half of which is recycled from last year's disc-based release. There are some funny lines here and there, but they won't make up for the disappointing and overpriced content!

Do not buy Amy. Do not play Amy. Do not look at Amy. Do not think about Amy. If your sister is named Amy, move to another country, and tell people your entire family was eaten by racist wolverines.

All Zombies Must Die may sound like a senseless action game, but it turns out to be a moderately deep role-playing game. Part dual-stick shooter and part dungeon crawler, Doublesix's newest zombie game has a lot going for it. Unfortunately it's marred by repetitive gameplay, too many fetch quests, lame jokes and horrendous collision detection!