Much like Madden, NHL, or any other hardcore simulation of a sport, F1 2011 is really meant for fans of the sport, and little else. More casual racers won't find what they're looking for here. If you're a hardcore Formula One fan, this is your holy grail.

FIFA 12 is arguably the best soccer game released by any developer to date. The authenticity of the gameplay, the quality of the presentation and the large selection of modes make for an extremely rich and satisfying experience. What FIFA lacks in new single player modes is easily made up for in the overall quality and satisfaction of the experience on the pitch. The question then comes to you the gamer. Are you a huge soccer fan, who needs your fix every year for the latest and greatest soccer game? If so, don't even hesitate, FIFA 12 is the game for you.

FIFA 12 is arguably the best soccer game released by any developer to date. The authenticity of the gameplay, the quality of the presentation and the large selection of modes make for an extremely rich and satisfying experience. What FIFA lacks in new single player modes is easily made up for in the overall quality and satisfaction of the experience on the pitch. The question then comes to you the gamer. Are you a huge soccer fan, who needs your fix every year for the latest and greatest soccer game? If so, don't even hesitate, FIFA 12 is the game for you.

It's rare to find a game that encompasses a teaching tool as effective as Rocksmith, with virtually no negatives to observe, while still being enjoyable to play. Though for the first day or two you'll feel some pain in the tips of your fingers as your new guitarist callous' begin to form, it's a small trade for the skills, abilities, and pride you'll feel as you level-up as a genuine musician. Nothing beats learning useful and fun real-life skills, especially when it's with something as cool as an electric guitar.

It's rare to find a game that encompasses a teaching tool as effective as Rocksmith, with virtually no negatives to observe, while still being enjoyable to play. Though for the first day or two you'll feel some pain in the tips of your fingers as your new guitarist callous' begin to form, it's a small trade for the skills, abilities, and pride you'll feel as you level-up as a genuine musician. Nothing beats learning useful and fun real-life skills, especially when it's with something as cool as an electric guitar.

This is one of those games where you'll want to love it, yet can't help but hate it at times.

Rise of Nightmares is an interesting attempt to bring something new to the Kinect, and for that it gets my vote. Though it stumbles along the way, it's a unique experience to play through, fighting off the undead and sprinting from abominations without a controller in sight. It's got its flaws, but if you got an interest in the horror genre, and a Kinect, take a stroll through a haunted landscape in Rise of Nightmares.

Overall though, Tropico 4 was a delightful experience. It made some incredibly useful changes and additions to gameplay while maintaining the heart of the Tropico series. And the annoyances were few and far between enough that this title is worth turning on again and again. Viva la Tropico!

Minor quibbles aside, we here at GamingExcellence have never been so happy to be so enraged. It's a great day for gaming when we can welcome id Software back into our living rooms and computer desks. RAGE is an easy candidate for the best game of the year, and was well worth the wait. Don't miss it.

Minor quibbles aside, we here at GamingExcellence have never been so happy to be so enraged. It's a great day for gaming when we can welcome id Software back into our living rooms and computer desks. RAGE is an easy candidate for the best game of the year, and was well worth the wait. Don't miss it.

Bodycount is viscerally fun. It plays fast and sounds great thanks to all the carnage you dish out. However, it isn't really deep. The story almost seemed like a second thought and AI makes most levels feel like just a shooting gallery. If you like your shooters shallow, it is at least worth a try.

Bodycount is viscerally fun. It plays fast and sounds great thanks to all the carnage you dish out. However, it isn't really deep. The story almost seemed like a second thought and AI makes most levels feel like just a shooting gallery. If you like your shooters shallow, it is at least worth a try.

Burnout Crash is an entertaining and exciting game, and if you're in the mood for some explosive fun, you will likely enjoy what Crash has to offer. Its large explosions and arcade like feel make it an accessible game to everyone. As warned though, don't let the Burnout title fool you, there isn't any racing in this game to be had. If you can get passed that one downside, Burnout Crash is an entertaining title that is enjoyable and accessible for gamers of any age.

Burnout Crash is an entertaining and exciting game, and if you're in the mood for some explosive fun, you will likely enjoy what Crash has to offer. Its large explosions and arcade like feel make it an accessible game to everyone. As warned though, don't let the Burnout title fool you, there isn't any racing in this game to be had. If you can get passed that one downside, Burnout Crash is an entertaining title that is enjoyable and accessible for gamers of any age.

The real-time strategy mechanics are just not done well, it's as simple as that.

Hard Reset isn't what I'd call a complex game. The story is minimal, the gunfire is often, and the enemies are numerous. It has some good pacing, allowing you to take a breather and look for Nano after decimating a small horde of foes, but for the most part, you'll be emptying clips of ammo into the robotic menace.

It's bizarre, unique and a heck of an experience especially for those who have never touched either game in this duology. It's compelling enough on its own to be worth the price of admission.

If you already own Devil Survivor, there isn't much here to entice you unless you're a hardcore SMT fan. If you don't own it, check it out. It's a fun title that does a lot of things well.

Ultimately, I like this game because of the open world driving, and because of the strong focus on the actual driving more than anything else. The shift mechanic is really cool in multiplayer and offers an experience you're not going to find elsewhere. Even the single player is ok; it's just very disappointing that they couldn't tie the main plot into all the other activities. Still, Driver: San Francisco is a solid and very enjoyable racing experience, and the scenery is unmatched in the racing genre.

Ultimately, I like this game because of the open world driving, and because of the strong focus on the actual driving more than anything else. The shift mechanic is really cool in multiplayer and offers an experience you're not going to find elsewhere. Even the single player is ok; it's just very disappointing that they couldn't tie the main plot into all the other activities. Still, Driver: San Francisco is a solid and very enjoyable racing experience, and the scenery is unmatched in the racing genre.

So while Gears of War 3 might not be the ending every player was hoping for, I believe it's the right ending in many ways. Many questions are answered, but there is enough story left to tell for a prequel series to be made down the road. You'll definitely laugh, you might cry, you'll spill a lot of blood, and you'll have a hell of a good time unless you're actively trying not to. No game is going to please everyone, but Gears 3 pleased me.

Overall Space Marine is an awesome experience. The game lasts for about 12 to 15 hours which is just long enough. Due to the well paced story and well handled upgrades to your equipment this running time gives you just long enough to mess around with all of the goodies before it's time to move on to the multiplayer.

Overall Space Marine is an awesome experience. The game lasts for about 12 to 15 hours which is just long enough. Due to the well paced story and well handled upgrades to your equipment this running time gives you just long enough to mess around with all of the goodies before it's time to move on to the multiplayer.

Despite a bit of glitching, I think Crimson Alliance is a welcome addition in my household. Sure, it's not the prettiest girl in town, but she's charming, easy to get along with and still violent enough that your mother would not approve. What more could you want from a Sunday morning date? The game is available for purchase on September 7 via XBLA for 1200 Microsoft points (all three character classes) or just 800 Microsoft points (just one).

There isn't too much to say about Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet; it's a very solid exploratory adventure title that's needs a bit more length to justify a full-priced purchase of. Excellent art and music really bring the world to life, and a multiplayer mode that can eat up an hour or so of time, if you're so inclined makes a pretty good game that I'd casually recommend.

The only thing keeping Star Fox 64 3D from being a slam dunk recommendation is the amount of gameplay that you're getting for the game's 40 dollar price tag.

What you see is what you get with the Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection. This includes the touchy controls and difficult AI. These are pure emulations of the very same arcade games that first arrived on the scene almost two decades ago.

What you see is what you get with the Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection. This includes the touchy controls and difficult AI. These are pure emulations of the very same arcade games that first arrived on the scene almost two decades ago.