Hexyz doesn't do anything at all wrong, but it misses the mark pretty clearly on doing almost anything very well.

In short, Alan Wake is exactly what ii says on the box, a “Psychological Action Thriller.” You’ll be grasping at straws for most of the game, trying to figure out what exactly is happening in this quaint little town.

Anybody who enjoyed Grand Theft Auto will be able to jump into Red Dead Redemption and have a good time.

The Tomb of Sammun-Mak is simply one of the most enjoyable adventure games that has come out in recent memory, and is a very easy recommend to anyone with a computer.

Rocket Knight will undoubtedly provide an entertaining experience with its welcoming visuals, detailed control and perfect pacing whether you played as Sparkster on the Genesis or not. The only solid flaw that this game has is its pricing.

For anyone who is a super advanced DotA player, Newerth is a must buy, if only to keep up with the tournaments. Everyone else really should stay away due to the terrible community.

This game offers a lot to action adventure fans especially ones that have memories of classic 8-bit titles.

If you need a party game for your Wii, Family Gameshow is not the best or most polished option available, but at $20, it’s easy to recommend.

All praise for the game aside, this should probably only be purchased for people who have bought every other title on the PSP. The game gets rather difficult early on, is rather unforgiving, and seems to expect a level of knowledge out of the player that no one new to the series should have to go through.

The game looks great on a high end gaming PC, and will even run on pretty much anything with a dedicated video card, so most people who even have a passing interest really should check the game out. Sadly the cost of admission might be the one thing that would keep the people who would really enjoy the game away from it.

It feels like if the game was a bit more polished, it could've been special. Instead, it just shows a lot of promise, but ends up spreading itself too thin.

If Hyperballoid spent just a little more time in development and had just a little bit more of a budget, it could have been a great addition to the flooded ball and paddle genre.

Overall, if looking for a puzzle game on Xbox Live I would tell you your money is better spent elsewhere on a better polished and actually fun game.

The Penal Zone is a really good adventure game, and has the chances of being the best Season of Sam & Max that has come along, but it still has some minor bugs to work out with the interface.

With such a vast library of interesting and fun to play DS games available, this game is doomed to sit in cardboard displays of bargain games across the country, and for good reason.

Despite a strong and unique cast of characters, the poor presentation, barebones features, and subpar gameplay make this hard to recommend, especially at full price.

Creating havoc has not been this much fun since players were first treated to GTA3 many years ago.

Just Cause 2 isn’t a perfect game, many of the story missions are blah and the player isn’t really let into the joke of the game until late into it, but even with its very minor faults it still manages to be one of the best games I have played this year.

Unless you are being forced at gunpoint to buy a DS game for a gamer that you strongly dislike, there is no reason to buy or play Monkey Madness: Island Escape.

The Red Star is a great game, just one that wasn’t designed for most people to get excited about.

Combat is sometimes a little too loose, but the atmosphere, sense of realism, and highly creative game design makes this FPS highly enjoyable and quite the pleasant surprise.

The ending may not be the most satisfying conclusion to a trilogy, but the journey there is pure action-adventure bliss.

I couldn’t recommend this game to a lot of people though, as it is more of a movie then a game. It’s niche and like I said, I can’t blame anyone for passing it up on store shelves.

If you have enjoyed any version of Arkanoid, or Breakout, then Shatter is worth a purchase. It might even be worth it for some people that don’t even enjoy the genre that much, it is that good.

For those that are really into the genre it is a no brainer, for anyone who has enjoyed a tower defense game before it is still a solid investment.

Regardless, Pokemon SoulSilver is a quality game if you take it on its own merits, and it’s a safe pickup if you’re looking for either a casual play-through, or want to go the competitive battling route.

While the story is beyond confusing and gets further complicated by the cockamamie Japanese nuances and character archetypes, the game is still something that can be comfortably tackled by veteran RPG players.

If you enjoyed Kirby's Canvas Curse or are looking for the next puzzling platformer, this could be a good way to spend 1000 Nintendo Points.

It isn’t very exciting, which may be disappointing for people who expect the game to have any sort of attitude or personality beyond its atrocious music, but it works decently and has a great deal of unadvertised potential as a relaxation aide for stressed out people that have a fondness for ATV racing.

The only issue is that the intricate tech tree system sets a pretty steep learning curve for the game that can scare off lots of young, inexperienced players. Because of that, it’s hard to recommend this to people just looking to dive into the RTS genre, but it may be worth looking at for all you Starcraft and Command & Conquer veterans.

Like Marathon (XBLA), you should try out the free demo before you make a full purchase just to see if your stomach can handle the rotation effects.

However, if you come into this with a longing for the adventure games of decades past, or simply want to have a video game experience that hasn’t really been done before, then this game hits right on the mark.

Even though Metal Slug has not evolved, it is a still a fun game, but game design changes would definitely be welcomed in the inevitable Metal Slug 8.

Adventure games are not inherently boring, and neither are murder mysteries, but all of the pointless procedure that this game throws at you will, at least as you play it, make you forget all of the enjoyment that you ever got out of either of those things.

While Tropico 3 on the Xbox 360 is enjoyable, there’s no reason to get it on the console if you have a PC capable of running it. The game is still an entertaining experience, but the controls are plain-and-simple better on the mouse and keyboard.

To be frank, even if I hadn’t played this game as a kid, I would have bought it; my man crush on XSeed is enough for me, but I can’t recommend this game for anyone who hasn’t played the MMO beforehand.

The game is a safe pickup for FPS fans, and something worth looking at for anybody wanting a unique adventure…assuming you played the original.

Tomena Sanner on WiiWare is a perfect platform for this user friendly/cheap thrills style of quirky gameplay.

Being a fan of the original NES Blaster Master, I really wanted to like this new sequel but the game's many crater-sized flaws hold it back from being a great follow up.

Max & the Magic Marker is well worth a purchase for anyone who has a younger PC gamer in the house.

The slower pacing of Bermuda Triangle should be most welcomed to amateur puzzle gamers and younger children.

While Mass Effect 1 was a good game, this sequel really just improves everything. With a wide range of gameplay tweaks and some slight nudges to the presentation, the game ends up really reaching its full potential.

Flames of Judgment is a worthy sequel to carry the Vandal Hearts name but this latest installment fails to retain the flair and excitement of the original.

For fans of aerial combat games or the anime on which The Sky Crawlers was based, however, the game offers an excess of value, with an Achievements-esque medal system, multiple difficulty levels, and dozens of things to unlock.

While this is still mostly a game for the younger crowd, that’s not to say us grown-up gamers can’t enjoy it. It’s a solid action platformer that you can play without cringing.

Bayonetta is made for the hardcore gamer. Its sensationally over-the-top style may turn a few players off but underneath all that flash, style, and madness is one of the most engaging, satisfying combat systems in action games today.

While the concept of the game seems to be sound, a Geometry Wars inspired co-op shooter; everything seems to work against it, especially the price.

With simple graphics and musical soundtrack, Rush’s $6 price point is justified. The controls are quite solid too, but being able to zoom in and out could have been nice but isn’t totally necessary.

Tales of Monkey Island is probably one of the best games that came out last year, and probably one of the best adventure games that has come out in recent memory.

I can’t say anything “nice” about this game. So do yourself a favor, save your money and go buy a good game, like Little King’s Story.

Retailing at the budget price of $20, you might want to take a second glance at this game, pun intended… And if the game’s higher difficulties are not challenging enough, trying downing a few shots and a couple beers to give this game that pub-like feeling.

The game’s box art does a great job of grabbing the attention of fantasy nerds and most DS owner, but the gameplay is so unbalanced it makes the game impossible.

Stoked: Big Air Edition is not for everybody. It doesn't fill in the void left by the fabulous, over-the-top style of the SSX series. For players looking for the realistic equivalent of Skate to the snowboarding sport, Stoked is where it at its strongest.

Gyromancer is fun though, despite the weird difficulty curve but playing against human opponents can be more entertaining. Here’s the skinny: it’s defiantly not as great as Puzzle Quest, but it’s defiantly better than the oft forgotten Puzzle Kingdom.

It is true; L4D2 plays out very similarly to the original smash hit. But the fast paced four player co-op is quite entertaining and the new material is enough to experience this sequel even if you have played the hell out of the first game.

Just Dance is the sort of game that you should know if you’re going to hate it or not just from taking a moment to examine the box. If the thought of recreating Katy Perry and Kylie Minogue videos in your living room makes you want to bash your head into a wall, then you probably don’t need me to tell you that this game will drive you to act on that desire.

CONR3 really maximizes on the underlying potential the series has always had, and the online mode really pulls everything together to make it a game that, truly, can stand alongside the plethora of great fighters that have come out this year.

The game is addictive enough that I’d find myself seeing angry guests with red thought bubbles above their heads when I closed my eyes.

The single player stages are much too linear, the co-op missions are reused from the single player campaign, and the main multiplayer deathmatch style modes are very unbalanced, especially for new players. But like Uncharted 2, MW2 is like an insane action packed movie that you can participate in… too bad the game’s heavy use of scripted events make the player feel like they have do not have any control regarding the out come of the final experience.

Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble is the brawler that most old school gamers have been hoping will come out. Sadly at the current price point most of them aren’t going to even make an attempt to pick it up.

Military Madness has the potential to please its remaining fans, but bringing newbies into the fold might be weighed down by the gravity of the game’s antiquated gameplay.

If you are looking for an adventure game to play, you could do a lot worse than Muzzled. It’s defiantly fun for at least one play through.

Wallace and Gromit’s second adventure is a success in my book. It was a short book though, only taking a few hours to complete…which is ok because it only makes the player want to check out the other episodes.

Go do yourself a favor this holiday season. If you’re looking to buy a game for a friend, or even for yourself, buy Dragon Age as it could get overlooked this crowded holiday season.

Band Hero definitely will bring the “band” back to together, but it ultimately it can still be considered a clone of GH5 only with a more kid friendly soundtrack. But only with minor gameplay complaints, Band Hero could be the best option for beginning modern day music game players or parents looking to start a family band.

With no multiplayer options and an extremely weak tutorial system, it isn’t hard to see that Jewel Master Egypt was created with a tight budget. But with flawed game design, frustrating level structure, and inaccurate style control, DS owners are much better off looking elsewhere for their puzzle gaming fix.

If you want the real Diner Dash experience it on XBLA or on PC.

As a whole, Chronicles of Mystery: The Tree of Life is an average game that could keep adventure gamers busy until they finish and forget it.

If you have grown tired of shooting Mii’s in Wii Play, then perhaps you might want to consider this game…if you see it in the bargain bin for $10.

With only one month to go, it seems like an easy recommendation to anyone with a PC to pick up this game.

If you’ve got the points to spare, you could buy something worse. At least check out the demo to experience the fastest paced game of pool you have probably ever played.

If you’re a fan of the series and have some local competition, the overall gameplay is the best the series has to offer yet. Otherwise, I would recommend waiting a bit to see if the online will be fixed in a timely matter.

What Forza 3 does best is progress the design of racing simulators with its accessibility, excellent physics mechanics, and focus on community contribution among other things.

The game is simply worth it, and PC gamers should definitely check it out.

As I actually played Vegas Party, though, I realized that I’d rather be alphabetizing my CD collection than finishing up the game.

Nostalgia is very niche, being a must buy for anyone old enough to get the feeling.

While it isn’t a perfect game it does manage to come rather close to that mark. If you have a PC that is able to run Tropico there is no reason not to run out and buy the game. It is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

If you are a fan of Bakugan or want a nice nonviolent game for your child this should do the trick. Definitely skip this if you are looking to frag noobs with headshots.

Shimano, not taking itself too seriously, will provide a decent amount of entertainment…for about the first two times you play it.

The only people that wouldn't appreciate this download are either people with no sense of humour or who can't appreciate a less action-orientated title.

This is the kind of pet project a developer gets to make only once, and if you love metal music as much as Tim Schafer, you’ll find something to love about Brütal Legend.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is, without a doubt, the kind of game you can buy a Playstation 3 for.

With a perfect sense of humor, a new bold design, a vintage graphical style and gameplay perfectly suited for a portable system, Half Minute Hero is one game that cannot be missed by PSP owners or any fan of an RPG.

Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy is an excellent example of a game that could have been a lot of fun had it just done a few things differently.

I’m a gamer who regularly plays adventure games with at their core are nothing more than glorified fetch quests, but I just can’t bring myself to call this game an “adventure” because it isn’t an “adventure.” A better word to use is “job” because it is work to have to play this game.

While it is hard to give the advice to run out and purchase this game, it deserves a rental and a couple of hours of play. If you can make it through inventing curse words during that time, it is a clear purchase.

With no multiplayer options, limited game progression, a terrible soundtrack, and horrible touch control recognition, it is hard to recommend this game over the budget friendly Neves.

Risen has its faults but what it does do is bring you into a world that won’t let you leave till you’ve uncovered the secrets in every corner. To some it’s just something to hold them over until the next Gothic game comes out, but to me it’s the start of something new and wonderful from an experienced RPG developer.

With light platforming, simple controls, bright color pallet, basic game design, and ease of use, MySims Agent is probably the best game in the MySims series. Although best suited for younger players, adult gamers can still get some entertainment out of this title.

Improvements in the difficulty, a smart retooling of the games stages and a whole lot of extra modes and add-ons make this game the definitive version of Ninja Gaiden out on consoles, as well as one of the deepest and most satisfying action adventure games available.

The third episode in this series does an amazing job of proving that this game is a must have for anyone that can run it.

As a whole, Women's Murder Club: Games of Passion was a laid back and interesting game for the Nintendo DS.

Persona is a great package that is worth the price, regardless of the purchasing method.

With it short gameplay and high action, Wet will make the perfect weekend rental, especially if jacked up on Code Red Mountain Dew.

As fun as it was to team up Marvel greats and take down evil, the game feels like it wasn't quite up to snuff with its predecessors.

It is of the lowest quality.

It is difficult to deny that Monster Trucks Mayhem has a very precise purpose and audience in mind while playing it, watching others play it, or even while looking at the box, but it is essentially successful at what it sets out to do.

Anyone interested in learning about The Beatles or anyone just looking for a nice, laid-back musical game should check this out.