A good way to describe it would be to call it Gauntlet with a chainsaw and shotgun, as you're constantly swarmed by enemies who need a good killing, all while looking for keys. There's some repetition to be found in key-hunting, but there's just so much fun to be had in the meantime it's easy to accept.

Be that as it may, this is definitely one of my must-have games for this year. It’s too bad it's so damn short!

Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge is a game to be played for the nostalgia factor, and for those who never played it the first time. I'd also throw in die-hard fans of the series, but people new to the franchise will be left scratching their heads unable to grasp what the big whoop was in the first place.

A robust online mode is available, but playing solo won’t leave you bored after a couple of play-throughs.

There really isn't anything like it out right now. As long as you still have a soul and can overlook a few biggish flaws, you'll love Little King's Story.

With all that in mind, FTL remains a great game – not perfect, not legendary, but a great indie title that offers up something pretty unique as opposed to a cheaper version of a game that mainstream devs already do and do better.

Xbox Live integrates into this title and elevates it to a level not seen in hockey in years. While the game won't take the crown from "Blades of Steel," it certainly can hold its own against almost any hockey game out right now.

The story is mysterious enough to demand further investigation, but after a while you start wishing they would hurry things up and get to the good stuff. It’s only later when you’ll stumble onto the Catch-22 that the only truly "good stuff" in the game is that you can blow up a lot of the boring stuff.

This is one game that will kick your butt if you don’t use your brain. The best part is how it keeps you on your toes by forcing you to alter strategies to fit the situation, which is something far too many games ignore.

Sonic Lost World is a wonderful addition to the Sonic legacy and one of the best exclusive titles on the Wii U. It harks back to the classic days of gaming that got me into video games in the first place, a time when developers aimed to challenge players rather than guide their hand through a movie experience.

For $19.99 Wipeout fans can’t lose. Fans of racers in general will also find a lot to like.

It is a must buy for all Final Fantasy fans and a terrific starting point for anyone who hasn't been lucky enough to play the original Final Fantasy VII.

It is a tough game, but once you get past the early part it is pretty smooth sailing.

The depth overwhelmed me for a bit, especially trying to remember all of the alchemy recipes, and some of the boss fights were extremely tough, but the game overall shines and is definitely one of the best, and quirkiest, games on the PS2 out this year.

It isn’t perfect, but it takes everything that was great about its predecessor and makes the whole package more accessible. It’s a shining example of how to use shooter mechanics to tell a story, which is enough to make it a must-play in my book.

Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends features the best balance I’ve seen in an RTS – ever.

It combines aspects of great RPG games and first person shooters, wraps them into a package that will appeal to the historian, and tosses in a dash of addiction to combine into one great final product.

So, if you're jonesing for some Indiana on the go, you've got a great option with LEGO Indiana Jones.

So since 1995 we've been getting to know Jack. Somehow the game has remained fresh and funny, giving us 16 years of solid laughs. This title is no exception with 73 well-polished episodes on the disc.

The new controls, new gameplay and new graphics have given an unexpected treat to gamers everywhere. Not to say that there aren’t issues like the awful manual, tough dynasty and some quirky things like being unable to select your favorite team like every other EA Sports game. This is a giant leap in the right direction.

The damage model system ties in nicely with the control system and your car will begin to be more difficult to control as you lose pieces of it. You catch too much air and control is lost; you hammer the brakes and they will lock. Every detail is as it should be...

Designers really worked hard to make each level unique and interesting. Aside from the so-so graphics everything in Four Swords is done extremely well and extensively thought out.

Much like "Undying," this game will probably be best remembered for its audio…for that alone it deserves kudos. Anything that can freak me out like this game gets my vote of confidence.

The amount of thought put into Lock's Quest and the amount of effort and detail in every corner is astounding.

A fantastic romp with the Dark Knight through a suitably dark and depressing city, with your fists, your toys and a fantastic new take on the story. While it engages more sandbox gameplay, it ultimately is a true sequel to the Arkham Asylum in both feel and presentation and is a worthy purchase, even if it isn't that long or that large.

This game has something that very few games manage to capture; it is just pure fun. Balancing the challenge of the game with a good mix of enemies, bosses, and storyline, it simply works.

The biggest complaint is that some of the English voices are really lacking, especially comparing them to how the Japanese voice actors sound doing the same (or similar) lines, and the entire jumping mess. Outside of that, this is a very solid title, and quite possibly a contender for 2005 RPG of the year.

This is the game I have been expecting to find in the previous titles, one that lets me make the battlefield and kingdom decisions rather than being pulled along by the story.