This is a great game, with a mature storyline and wonderful controls. I did not want this game to end when it did, though the story comes to a very well done close.

NHL 2K7 really is the "Madden of Hockey." Baby steps every year that keeps the franchise moving forward slowly and steadily.

The single player delivers, but is a fairly one-trick pony that provides roughly 7 hours of mindless fun punctuated with genuinely funny dialog.

A vast improvement over its predecessor. There are limitations to the hardware that really impact this particular platform, but 4-player co-op, even locally, is a great deal of fun.

Its easy to pick up and control and the bosses are varied and challenging.

This game is aimed for those that enjoy music and video games but maybe not as into the metal scene.

It can’t be said enough – the amount of customization and sheer gameplay that is available in this title is simply astounding. While baseball management simulations might not be everyone’s cup of tea, for anyone that has a love of the great American pastime, this is absolutely a title that you should check out.

They've put in more weapons, game modes, and customization while keeping the basic game underneath unchanged. If you enjoy turn-based strategy or simply exploding barrels of oil on top of your friends, you'll enjoy Worms: Reloaded.

It has all the aspects of a Super Smash Bros., but the fact that only super attacks can kill off a character make the game feel less strategic. Still, it is a fun game to play with a few friends on the couch or online.

All in all, Sanctum 2 is undeniably fun and even more undeniably an improvement over its predecessor. It looks better, it plays better, and it meshes the two genres of tower defense and FPS better.

Matrix Software has now made three good-to-great games in a row for the DS: Avalon Code, Nostalgia and now 4 Heroes of Light. I only wish they could take one of these fantastic concepts and push it over the hump from "really good" to "exceptional."

Hybrid is a unique experiment in multiplayer cover-based shooting, and it succeeds gloriously.

Uneven is probably the best description when it comes to Blur. On the one hand the audio work is lacking overall, but the developers went the extra mile to add plenty of sound effects to show if you're racing on pavement or off-road.

This game mixes Gundam and fighting games in just the right amount, and I look forward to the tearing of metal limbs that will occur in my house for some time to come.

For NBA 10 on the PSP I said that Sony threw in everything but the kitchen sink, and the same holds true this year. The biggest problem is that the developers didn’t really work on improving the actual basketball simulation game.

Overall, it's a fun game that I would play again just because it's exciting and offers a sniping experience that can't be found anywhere else.

Etrian Odyssey 2: Heroes of Lagaard is for hardcore RPG fans only. Those looking for a challenging title that will deliver 40 to 70 hours of gameplay will not be dissapointed.

A well-rounded collection and as I said earlier I can't think of any big titles not included here.

If you don't care as much about getting really into the dancing however, the basic pad is just fine.

If you're looking for a cool, atmospheric shooter for your DS, I definitely recommend Moon.

Overall the game does not take many risks from the formula established in the first game, but it presents everything with more polish. The series is not quite part of the big leagues yet, but still, if you are looking for an action RPG to spend time with in-between other major releases the world of Two Worlds II may be a good vacation destination.

The game is a triumph for simulation fans, and is moderately accessible to new players.

The cutscenes were an enjoyable interlude between bouts of carnage, but the looping quips eventually got under my skin.

It might take you a bit to get your space legs, but once you do you're in for a great ride.

Lots of content and lots of things to do are always a good thing in a game, and it's definitely worth picking up as opposed to renting, mainly because you'll never get everything in the game done in a rental.

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is a really good game, but it's not a truly great game.

This title is amazing to look at, and the graphical candy will hold you for a while. My suggestion would be to just turn off the sound if you intend to show the game off, and then take your boxing gloves online.

The game is pleasing to the eye, has a play style that encourages teamwork, and has a nice variety of characters.

While the awkwardness of the campaign mode’s storyline is unfortunate, the game more than justifies its cost in terms of inventive mechanics, a refreshing setting and a well-thought-out realtime tactical system – all without the looming threat of microtransactions and booster-pack expenditures that so often are matched up with any card-based game.

While there isn’t a great deal of courses to play, there is certainly a great golf game underneath the confection veneer overload laced onto every square inch of the game.

This game is excellent, although very frustrating. I only made it past the Easy difficulty, I am not even going to try the Normal difficulty even if the real ending is behind it.

The two-player aspect might make it a wonderful game for a parent to play along with his or her child, as I think it makes a good tool for demonstrating cooperation and teamwork.

DOA 5 could easily get overlooked in the deluge of upcoming titles, but it shouldn't. Despite the departure of Itagaki, Team Ninja manages to take DOA 5 up a notch. While it doesn't reinvent the wheel, the counter system adds a new layer of depth. Toss in the upgraded stages and the accessibility offered by the story-lead training and you can almost forgive said story for making almost no sense at all. The game remains accessible, pure fan-service, and most certainly the best looking fighter of this generation.

Maybe I was looking for a better Star Wars experience like "Rogue Squadron" however I did not find it here.

If you want a game that will make you think quick on your feet, but not over burden you with a convoluted story, then Ivy the Kiwi may be for you.

If you're at all interested in Penny Arcade, retro RPG's, or tranforming into a dinosaur, it's hard to go wrong with this one.

Uneven is probably the best description when it comes to Blur. On the one hand the audio work is lacking overall, but the developers went the extra mile to add plenty of sound effects to show if you're racing on pavement or off-road.

Ultimately Yakuza 4 is a good game but it isn't quite as good as Yakuza 3.

While a little bit simple in terms of art, Foul Play is a polished little Final Fight style title that was really a blast to play.

If you can get past the wait times and don't mind playing against the AI, then Street Fighter X Tekken is an enjoyable game and a worthy addition to your collection. I would just recommend having a fightstick if you are serious about playing.

SingStar Amped! continues in the same vein as the previous titles, good and bad. Whle the game doesn’t make any huge improvements other than the soundtrack, it also doesn’t make any new mistakes.

All in all, I enjoyed Drox Operative. It’s a niche game, certainly – graphically bland with some intriguing gameplay that situates itself somewhere between a realtime strategy game and a roguelike style RPG, offering a whole lot of replay value to those who end up getting into the game.

The least of the three games, but it still plays better and has a far more vivid imagination than its competitors (once again my eye drifts towards Resident Evil).

A good game, don’t get me wrong. Theres just isn’t a whole lot new here. Maybe in the next installment we’ll see something a bit different.

The game shows that they spent a fair amount of time looking at the user interface and game balance. Now it is down to how Microsoft and FASA choose to support the title in the coming months and years will really see how well it is adopted.

While the gameplay is somewhat shallow, and the racing elements sometimes frustrating, there is plenty to say about getting a Transformers game with high production value and an all-star voice team. Activision and Traveller’s Tales have brought the new movie to life with a decent beat-em-up title that doesn’t succumb to the movie tie-in curse.

If you liked any of the previous Layton games, you should definitely get Unwound Future.

The new features such as Road to the Show are great additions to the game, as are the improvements to the pitching and batting systems.

A pretty good game, even if the time and place are a bit overdrawn.

Lollipop Chainsaw does one thing exceptionally well – it never takes itself seriously. It's fan service, it's over the top, it's beyond ridiculous, it's cute, it's funny, and it is more fun than it should be. While it does have a few flaws, the sum of all of the ridiculousness is a game that will have you laughing. Whether it 's out of discomfort or a few of the genuine funny moments is entirely up to you

At the end of the day, Rising Storm occupies an interesting niche. It’s a solid game, loaded with a lot of detail, replay value, and was clearly created by a skillful team and community that really loves the Red Orchestra style of team-oriented competitive multiplayer.

The magic system is fun, but grows dull after a while since there are only so many motions and limited number of spells.

Afro Samurai does so much so well, it’s a shame that the little things are what drag it down.

Vanilla Deathmatch, kick-ass graphics, and Warfare just aren’t going to cut it, even if it comes from the people who brought you "Gears of War."

The sound that was used before is here to stay, so I hope you enjoy Japanese Techno-Rock because that is what is coming in the future after the apocalypse...hmmm...guess that makes sense on second thought.

Looking at this game I cannot get over the idea that Rare is stuck in rut with originality. Their collect-a-thon games are getting boring and adding that idea to the Zelda framework is just wrong in my opinion. This is a Gold Nugget, but nothing special.

No one in view of the Kinect sensor is safe from the fun that Happy Action Theater brings – at 800 MS credits, it's well worth it for anyone who has kids or entertains guests. In fact, I'd recommend MS bundle this with every new Kinect – this is a simple-yet-effective use of getting some unexpected fun from your 360.

But while 4-player co-op has certainly been done before, there’s no question that Payday 2 brings something unique to the table. Gameplay is often heart-poundingly intense, whether from the anxiety of fearing detection in a stealth mission, the will to survive an aggressive assault in an attack mission, or just the rush that comes from making it out alive and much richer.

The best Transformers game ever.

A lot of fun if you can get past those frequent audio glitches, and a PC-friendly control scheme. Considering how many movement options the PC has, the developers did an admirable job in creating a comfortable control scheme.

Even after completing Crackdown I find myself continuing to play it. I can’t say that many games stay in rotation after completion for me these days, so don’t take that statement lightly.

Overall, when all of the different parts of Treasure Seekers are taken into account, the game is both well made and provides a lot of joy to people who are into pixel hunts.

While the gameplay is somewhat shallow, and the racing elements sometimes frustrating, there is plenty to say about getting a Transformers game with high production value and an all-star voice team. Activision and Traveller’s Tales have brought the new movie to life with a decent beat-em-up title that doesn’t succumb to the movie tie-in curse.

I would recommend getting it if you need one for your Vita collection and have some familiarity with both franchises, or if you want to get the extra DLC characters for both Vita and PS3 versions.

A good game hindered by lack of options and other cars to drive in the Championship mode.

Through its old-school gameplay, snappy soundtrack, authentic dialogue, and unlockable art, DuckTales: Remastered is a faithful tribute, and a remaster done right.

There are plenty of ways to play the game, as well as a storyline that does take a few interesting twists and turns.

Just don’t pick this up hoping to graduate from the campaign to a major and thriving online community – for all practical purposes, consider this to be a singleplayer game first and foremost. And a damn good one at that.

The casual gamer will probably be put off by the subject matter, but if you’re willing to forgive the graphics and acting, you’ll find a fun game in there.

If you're up for a challenging mental workout that offers just enough action to keep your fingers from getting bored, you'll definitely want to give Puzzle Dimension a spin.

JumpStart Pet Rescue definitely offers a preschool friendly gaming experience for children.

The ultimate verdict I can give Project X Zone is that it’s detailed, well-polished, excitable fun that was created with established fans in mind.

Innovation has always been one of the cornerstones of the gaming industry, and Titan Studios deserves a round of applause for going back to the basics with this game, adding a nice little twist with the whole princess concept, and bringing us one of the better downloadable games of the year.

At the end of the day, Band Hero feels a little like that massive bag of cotton candy you buy at the fair. Nostalgia tells you that it tastes great, but reality leaves you with a pink mouth and a stomach ache.

Put simply, Army of Two is a great game to play with a friend whether that friend is local for split-screen or on Xbox Live for remote play.

Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier provides the true sequel to this beloved series that fans have been waiting for. The game is a high mark for PSP platform games and it really shows off just how much graphical performance a developer can get out of the handheld.

Everything is good, but could be better. The omission of features that are present in last gen systems is inexcusable.

Launching for $35 USD, Brain Age is a bit pricy for what it delivers. But for that price you get a variety of different games that will truly challenge your mind, record your progress, and give you a serious sense of accomplishment if you actually manage to claw your way up in terms of performance.

The game that will replace "Lumines" to satisfy my quick puzzle game craving.

This is a very well crafted game, and aside from the sound issues, fits perfectly into the GBA's hardware. Atlus did us all a favor by taking a chance on this and bringing it to North American shores. I can think of only one thing I want to do after playing through it and seeing one of the endings.

A pretty decent title, if not visually off-putting.

While the game does take advantage of the PSP’s networking abilities, some of the limitations really show up here, such as the lack of a second analog nub. Still, the controls aren’t too bad once you get used to them.

My suggestion is that this game should definitely be purchased, but if you're playing "Dragon Quest VIII," wait a couple of months after finishing it to play Wild Arms Alter Code: F, otherwise you're simply not being fair to yourself or to this great game.

Describing QuestLord as “Solid and straightforward” runs the risk of making the game sound dull, but I want to stress that that’s not the case. The graphics are well-crafted for what they are, though you have to appreciate pixel art to agree with that estimation, and even then you have to admire the throwback to the 1980s that QuestLord really seems to be going for.

Sports Champions 2, if nothing else, has shown just how the Move can be effective on a new set of six game types. While Tennis fell flat, Archery remains strong, and the Bowling portion was an absolute blast. I know that I just added bowling to our Sunday family game night, and for that I can certainly recommend Sports Champions 2.

The DS version of Echoes of Time stands on its own pretty well as a single-player experience, but most people are interested in Crystal Chronicles games for the multiplayer.

I actually found myself enjoying it a lot more than other Madden games in the past.

This is not an action packed role playing game, with limit breaks, kamehamehas, and sixteen button combos during combat. This is a game of exploring a Labrynth and learning to survive it by strength and wit. Calling it well written is hard to do, as it has only the basic framework of a story, letting the player make it up on their own. But I do find it fun to play, completing quests, earning experience, and delving the depths of the Labrynth with my Landsknecht and team.

Inadequate controls and chaotic 4 player co-op mode keep it from being a great game, but fans of the comics and movies should have plenty to be happy about.

The PS2’s slowdown monster rears its ugly head from time to time, mainly during huge (5+ monsters on screen) fights.

The game is incredibly deep with a lot of different modes to keep you busy for a while with high production values.

For a dogfighting newbie, IL-2 Sturmovik seems like a great place to start.

It plays smooth and fast, and like a bright flame it burns out earlier than it should.

The controls may drive you nuts at first, but give it some time.

Even if you don’t have any other versions on other platforms, SWAP Force on 3DS is a decent 3rd person 3D platformer. Just don’t expect a 3DS interpretation of the console SWAP Force game – it stands on it’s own pedestal, and it can fit your toy collection inside a pocket.

It provides fantastic visuals that has few rivals on the PS2. The sound and music of the game are top notch. The realism and grittiness of the game pull you right in and completely immerse you in the battle.

If you've never checked out this series before, you should know that there's a demo for the original Deponia up on Steam – so be sure to check that out and judge for yourself whether this kind of game not only appeals to you, but will actually make you laugh. Godspeed, friend, and I hope you enjoy it. This is a game that deserves to be liked. I'll leave someone else to the task of actually enjoying it.

If you don't mind your fighting games on the simpler side you will find a lot to enjoy.