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's definitely enough complexity and strategy here to keep those who make it past the frustrating first steps, but unfortunately I feel this game may only appeal to more determined fans of the genre.

At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself: would Halo Wars be as good as it is, if it wasn’t for the Halo name? The answer is probably not.

Puzzle Quest 2 has its problems, that much is for sure. Look past the problems, and you'll find a game that's still pretty darn addicting.

Puzzle Quest 2 has its problems, that much is for sure. Look past the problems, and you'll find a game that's still pretty darn addicting.

There really isn’t a lot to this game. You run around in the darkness, you shoot things, rinse and repeat.

A quick and fun, though average, game.

For hockey fans with only a Wii, NHL 2K10 still comes highly recommended, warts and all.

At the end of the day, Sherlock Holmes: Nemesis is impressive in its own right, but doesn’t set any groundbreaking standards.

CCC is a fun shooter romp for your PSP. If you can look past its faults, there is a lot of fun to be had here.

A co-op mode would have been wonderful, a more fleshed out story-line, additional levels that didn’t take place in dark corridors that herded you from A to B without fail, more multiplayer options; these are all things that should be expected of games being released on next-generation consoles.

There’s not a whole lot to Miami Vice, whether we’re talking about gameplay or appeal. It’s a fun enough game to play through once, but considering its low variety and even shorter length, it’s at best a rent.

It's still worthy of purchase to those that haven't played the original, but to any who have, just play the original for the same experience.

A co-op mode would have been wonderful, a more fleshed out story-line, additional levels that didn’t take place in dark corridors that herded you from A to B without fail, more multiplayer options; these are all things that should be expected of games being released on next-generation consoles.

Despite falling short, Too Human ends in a way that suggests there will be future games made, which will thus permit the developers to take what they got wrong and make it right.

A fun distraction that’s easy to pick up and play, but that won’t really detract from the more feature-packed games on the 360.

With the wealth of levels, and multiple goals for each, it’s got a lot of replay value that’ll keep you coming back for more.

The game is repetitive, the story thin and linear, and the infection mechanic is an annoyance, so why play Scurge: Hive? Well, underneath all that, the game is simple and fun when you just want to shoot stuff.

Demon War isn't the greatest expansion I've seen to a game like this, but it's certainly something. It capitalizes on the strengths of Din's Curse and its unique properties, building upon them and adding more properties of that kind to the game, instead of just adding more enemies or something (though there are more of those). Like the original game, if you want something different in your dungeon delving, something else that just isn't on the market, Din's Curse, and now its expansion, will be perfect for you.

Dante’s Inferno would be a much better game if it had spent a bit more time in development. The last half of the game isn’t very imaginative, the final two levels are just terrible, enemies are reused far too often and it really feels like there should have been two endings (one for each alignment).

Though it may get frustrating at times and is a little slow paced, if you're aching for a chance to fly through the galaxy in a personally-customized flying canister of destruction, Tarr Chronicles might be the game to satisfy the urge.

Proving Ground feels like filler in the end. It has great ideas and a great start on all areas like visuals and audio, gameplay and replay value, but they’re rushing these ideas and the end product is suffering.

One thing I need to say before I forget her: this was an adventure title through and through. On the outside one might get a glimpse and think "She's just like the girl down the street, Grand Theft Auto", but make no mistake: this here dame shares more in common with a point-and-click title more than any other genre.

Nostalgia is a game for those who, well, want to experience some nostalgia. It's a simple, old-school RPG with new twists here and there that make the experience more fun to play through without changing things up too much.

One thing I need to say before I forget her: this was an adventure title through and through. On the outside one might get a glimpse and think "She's just like the girl down the street, Grand Theft Auto", but make no mistake: this here dame shares more in common with a point-and-click title more than any other genre.

The game does a pretty good job at being fun, but when it comes to a good tycoon experience, it falls short.

If you’re not exactly keen on the songs contained within then there’s no reason to own this. But if there are enough songs that you like on the disc then there’s no harm in picking it up.

Everlight of Magic and Power is a pretty good point-and-click that just so happens to still be burdened by the limitations of the genre.

Still, if you want more Kingdom Hearts, or even just a decent action-RPG, by all means, this is the game for you. But if you want something deeper, whether it comes to Kingdom Hearts in general or the genre as a whole, then perhaps you might want to skip this one.

Proving Ground feels like filler in the end. It has great ideas and a great start on all areas like visuals and audio, gameplay and replay value, but they’re rushing these ideas and the end product is suffering.

To put it simply, if you liked the new movie, despite its flaws, Tron: Evolution is a decent companion piece.

To put it simply, if you liked the new movie, despite its flaws, Tron: Evolution is a decent companion piece.

Right now, the game feels dated. It still has the formula that made the game popular in the first place, but that formula is just starting to show its wrinkles.

Dante’s Inferno would be a much better game if it had spent a bit more time in development. The last half of the game isn’t very imaginative, the final two levels are just terrible, enemies are reused far too often and it really feels like there should have been two endings (one for each alignment).

The 400 point price is about right, and I’d recommend this game to just about anybody willing to give it a shot

It may start out as a fighter without much depth but if players are willing to take the time to level up characters and acquire new abilities, the game is a lot of fun.

If you’re not exactly keen on the songs contained within then there’s no reason to own this. But if there are enough songs that you like on the disc then there’s no harm in picking it up.

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin is average. It's got some high points and some low points, but overall just isn't that memorable.

Key elements of the franchise's presentation that made past installments in the series so memorable don’t show up here. Heads should roll at Rockstar for the lame soundtrack.

On the whole though, Undercover certainly isn’t a terrible game; considering the glut of games on the market this holiday season, Undercover gets enough things right to bring it past bargain bin status, but the problem is, there’s not much to dig into beyond that.

Nancy Drew: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek is an intriguing adventure game for the younger audience. The story may not be the most riveting for the older audience, but the puzzles and mini-games that are bundled in this game are fun nonetheless.

While there is a lot to like about Kinectimals how much you can enjoy it depends on how much difficulty you have with the motion controls.

As a racing game, MX vs. ATV Alive is fantastic. The controls are near perfect, the action is always intense, and it's just a fun game to play. Unfortunately, a bad system for unlocking new stuff and a severe lack of content really hold Alive back from reaching its full potential. Hopefully THQ delivers some quality downloadable content in the coming months, because if any game deserves it, it's MX vs. ATV Alive.

As a racing game, MX vs. ATV Alive is fantastic. The controls are near perfect, the action is always intense, and it's just a fun game to play. Unfortunately, a bad system for unlocking new stuff and a severe lack of content really hold Alive back from reaching its full potential. Hopefully THQ delivers some quality downloadable content in the coming months, because if any game deserves it, it's MX vs. ATV Alive.

Like the protagonist Kane, it’s decent but has too many flaws for comfort.

There's never been a better time to channel your competitive gamer spirit into some real results. In the end, UFC Personal Trainer will have you feeling the burn and getting in shape, while having fun doing it. After a week and a half with the game, I already noticed increased muscle mass and more definition on my own body, and you can do the same, provided you stick with it. Make sure to check with your doctor before taking part in any exercise routine, especially one as intense as this one.

There's never been a better time to channel your competitive gamer spirit into some real results. In the end, UFC Personal Trainer will have you feeling the burn and getting in shape, while having fun doing it. After a week and a half with the game, I already noticed increased muscle mass and more definition on my own body, and you can do the same, provided you stick with it. Make sure to check with your doctor before taking part in any exercise routine, especially one as intense as this one.

The Wii controls do add a significant amount to the experience, but not enough to justify a 200% increase for the going rate for the game.

On the whole though, Undercover certainly isn’t a terrible game; considering the glut of games on the market this holiday season, Undercover gets enough things right to bring it past bargain bin status, but the problem is, there’s not much to dig into beyond that.

All in all, Hellgate: London isn’t the next revolution in Diablo-style gameplay.

A fun, over-the-top, don’t-think-too-much-about-it kinda game that offers quick flashes of surreal mayhem between moments of quiet exasperation. The main problem is simply that Just Cause doesn’t offer enough diverse content to keep its incredibly large world fun.

The enthusiast shall probably enjoy the 60’s twist, but others should look past, as there are too many others in the genre to pass by in order to reach out for GT Legends.

Once players become proficient at darting from one cluster of soldiers to the next sending enemies spinning into the air with stylish attacks, this game is likely to become a fun way to pass time during commercials, like it did with me.

There's not a whole lot to say about Dark Dawn. It's a polished, visually-appealing, cliché-filled, trope-ridden jRPG that is seemingly made exclusively for the fans of the previous games.

If you're looking for an economic simulation game set during the reign of the Hanseatic League, then look no further: Patrician IV will scratch that oddly-specific itch of yours.

All things considered, Mafia 2 is a good game. The problem is, it only takes a little over ten hours to complete the story, and once you're done that... that's it.

All things considered, Mafia 2 is a good game. The problem is, it only takes a little over ten hours to complete the story, and once you're done that... that's it.

All things considered, Mafia 2 is a good game. The problem is, it only takes a little over ten hours to complete the story, and once you're done that... that's it.

The storyline in the game is great, and although the game length may seem a little short for the more advanced players, overall it strikes a great balance.

Naruto Shippuden: Naruto vs. Sasuke is a good DS title for what it is worth. The story is quite short, but it does make up for its length with modes and extras to unlock. While the platforming and boss battles are fast-paced, fighting in the platforming stages could have been thought out more. Still, Naruto fans will enjoy the experience.

Halo 2 is Vista only. It doesn’t offer any new features, gameplay, graphics, or audio. It took three years to arrive. But it is still Halo 2 and does rock to play with friends.

This isn’t a game for the elite soccer fan, but rather those who would rather kick a ball around with some well designed motion controls. If this sounds like you, feel free to jump in with both feet. For the rest, FIFA 10 comes with a yellow warning card.

Timeshift starts off with a bang, with impressive visuals and God-like powers at your fingertips. The bang, however, fails to last throughout the game, and you’ll constantly find it harder and harder to keep going.

So long as you only play the game in small bursts, Far Cry 2 is an interesting experience.

It’s a good shooter romp that could have been great.

So long as you only play the game in small bursts, Far Cry 2 is an interesting experience.

Downhill Jam will stay in my skate pack for some time to come, and all I can hope for now is that others start picking it up too.

Wanted: Weapons of Fate doesn’t suffer from the “Bad movie-license game” curse. It is not that bad. But it suffers from being too short and not having enough after you beat it to keep on playing.

Those buying this or looking into it due to its morphing/transforming angle will be disappointed since it really isn’t as big a focus as the box art makes it out to be.

Timeshift starts off with a bang, with impressive visuals and God-like powers at your fingertips. The bang, however, fails to last throughout the game, and you’ll constantly find it harder and harder to keep going.

Wanted: Weapons of Fate doesn’t suffer from the “Bad movie-license game” curse. It is not that bad. But it suffers from being too short and not having enough after you beat it to keep on playing.

There’s not too much to the game besides the few modes, and though the character selection screen is certainly filled with choices, it’ll still be quite obvious that you’re playing in the same modes over and over again.

Wanted: Weapons of Fate doesn’t suffer from the “Bad movie-license game” curse. It is not that bad. But it suffers from being too short and not having enough after you beat it to keep on playing.

Your typical survival horror, with sub-par gameplay but excellent style. Underneath, you’ll find a twisted story that takes some time to digest, one that doesn’t necessarily have a happy ending.

Timeshift starts off with a bang, with impressive visuals and God-like powers at your fingertips. The bang, however, fails to last throughout the game, and you’ll constantly find it harder and harder to keep going.

It's still a solid puzzle game. So if you've got the points, and you're bored of "Bejewelled," check out Jewel Quest.

However, considering how affordable the previous versions get when the new titles hit the shelves, you’re better off picking up one of those games and saving your money.

In the end, if you like this kind of game, complete with turn-based fights and random encounters, then you'll have next to nothing to complain about, but for those who find this isn't their cup of tea, they'll be hard-pressed to find many things they like. Dragon Quest VI is already available in stores for the Nintendo DS.

The fact that Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s has nothing more, and in some cases, less content than the previous titles, while still charging the same price, is the problem here.

There is a game buried beneath all of the menus and statistics, but only the truly patient and dedicated will have the time or will to find it.

With 15 fun, varied puzzles to challenge your mind, The Amazing Brain Train will definitely scratch that mini-game itch whenever it arises.

So long as you only play the game in small bursts, Far Cry 2 is an interesting experience.

Big Willy Unleashed is an interesting title to play, but it lacks the longevity of other sandbox titles like 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.

For casual gamers, the repetitive missions, complex gameplay mechanics and steep learning curve may leave many feeling bitter about a purchase.

There’s potential here for something fantastic, it just wasn’t taken there, and that’s a flockin’ shame.

When I played the game in front of a few friends, they were constantly screaming at me that I was getting surrounded by ants and yelling "constructive" advice in my direction. Any game that can elicit that sort of reaction from an inactive audience must be doing something right.

G-Force isn't a horrible game, it's just not that fun.

The harsh difficulty level and simulated driving makes for a frustrating experience if you’re not in it for the long haul.

G-Force isn't a horrible game, it's just not that fun.

I somehow can't seem to put the game down. Its one redeeming quality is that it's so incredibly addictive. The controls are brutal at times, but the game is creative and enough of a new experience that it makes the game feel like something fresh.

The harsh difficulty level and simulated driving makes for a frustrating experience if you’re not in it for the long haul.

G-Force isn't a horrible game, it's just not that fun.

Fans of DBZ won’t be disappointed with Burst Limit but for the rest of us out there, this game can be recommended as a fine rental but nothing more.

Fans of DBZ won’t be disappointed with Burst Limit but for the rest of us out there, this game can be recommended as a fine rental but nothing more.

Despite the high production values, the gameplay and missions done with the oversized Zippo are disappointing. The game doesn’t take a large amount of time to finish and lacks replay value.

There’s potential here for something fantastic, it just wasn’t taken there, and that’s a flockin’ shame.