Still, with its collectible treasure pieces, butterflies, and toys, a plot that puts a fantasy spin on pirates, the ability to hop-in as a challenger during mini-games, and exquisite artistic elements (just look at the map and watch the credits roll), Lemuria is a world you'll be glad to visit for a little quality time with your younger self.

Ultimately, if you've invested in a Kinect, this is definitely the game you must pick up to showcase to your friends and justify your purchase.

Fable III is most memorable not because it makes you laugh, but because it also makes you care. If a spouse gets carved up in your absence, you'll feel pangs of guilt. When your dog saves your bacon during a fight, you'll feel pride.

If you never quite "got" Fallout 3, New Vegas won't be the epiphany that shows you what you've been missing. But for anyone who adored the frantic post-apocalyptic, choose-your-own-path vibe of Bethesda's original sprawling stunner, this trip to the sin-soaked West is one hell of a kickass homecoming.

As difficult as it is for a self-proclaimed story-aholic to admit, the flow of combat and epic exploration is enough to make the Gothic series' console debut an interesting experience, despite the mind-boggling story design.

Intense without being brash, and focused on a tight situation as opposed to a global theater of operation, the relaunched Medal of Honor definitely finds its own voice as a military shooter. It's polished and visually appealing, while providing a little gaming perspective on a controversial military action. And you don't get that every day.

We admit we miss the first Dead Rising's goofier schtick and the initial wow factor of its innovative challenge. But the latter hasn't been toned down for this sequel, and the game remains - even with its flaws - a shuffler lover's undead dream.

Aside from some minor control annoyances - like the same button used for multiple actions (such as blade attacks and item pick-ups) - Shank's craftsmanship is largely impeccable. It's one of 2010's most memorable and exciting action games. For $15.

Whether you love or hate Michael Jordan, 2K11 is the finest hoops title to come along in a long time for its near-perfect presentation of both Number 23 and the other greatest players of his era. The Jordan Challenge mode could almost be its own game.

You'll probably crave a bit more challenge than you'll find, but by the time you arrive at your destination and its revelations, you'll clamor for the story to continue. [Nov 2010, p.78]

Front Mission Evolved doesn't deliver the innovation its name suggests, but it does offer the best classic mech action on 360, and fans of big-bot wars will enjoy it. [Nov 2010, p.82]

EA Sports MMA's universal accessibility - especially its fast-paced career progression and one-button-based grappling - is an impressive improvement over UFC Undisputed's dense amount of complexity. Both games are great, but EA Sports MMA is, indisputably, the best brawler of its kind.

While it lasts, though, Vanquish is one hell of a ride. [Nov 2010, p.84]

But most of the time, you're simply playing furniture inspector in an environment that's about as spooky as an episode of Scooby-Doo. [Nov 2010, p.71]

However you play, Pinball FX 2 is a must-have for any pinball fan who doesn't have a real machine tucked away somewhere. [Nov 2010, p.67]

It's not only an achievement within it's own genre, but a landmark for the entire medium as well. [Nov 2010, p.64]

Even at $40, it's hard to recommend to anyone besides serious thrashmasters. [Nov 2010, p.76]

The gags don't always hit their mark, but at its low points, Comic Jumper is still one of the weirdest, edgiest pieces of snarky fun you'll find on Arcade. [Nov 2010, p.76]

With the string of 3D-style casualties in this series' history, Lords is the first time we've been looking forward to where this shining new direction takes us. Go, Team Belmont.

You could always power through with some special ammunition, or grind past opponents with charged sonic blasts. But really, you'll only be cheating yourself out of all those marvelously entertaining chain-reaction killing sprees and the resulting scoring bonuses. [Nov 2010, p.72]

Whether you're playing with buddies online or in the same room, or just battling through the career, this extremely polished sequel is an excellent way to rock out. [Nov 2010, p.66]

SkyHeroes isn't bad, and we aren't getting a new Crimson Skies anytime soon, but don't rush out to buy this kid-skewed substitute. [Nov 2010, p.71]

But unless you are a FIFA completist who desperately wants to play as goalie, the minor on-field tweaks in FIFA 11 don't significantly impact what was already a complete, broad, and compelling game. [Nov 2010, p.76]

Instead of Gears' gritty realism, Quantum employs flamboyant machismo, with less impressive graphics. [Nov 2010, p.79]

Still, what the game does, it does well. And fun is fun, even if it comes with a tail. [Nov 2010, p.83]

Unfathomably deep, customizable, user-friendly, and straight-up engrossing multiplayer modes.

Sonic Adventure may have been a 3D revolution for Sega's storied franchise when it debuted in 1999, but in these HD-ified days, it just feel dated. [Nov 2010, p.69]

Multiplayer offers little besides in-person crowing or comfort, and the difficulty ratings for songs are somewhat uneven, but for $10 plus roughly another $20 for a dance mat from eBay, Dance! does a cheap, solid job of training you to hop between four arrows effectively. [Nov 2010, p.67]

Definitely worth at least a rental, Shattered Dimensions has its charms: quality writing and voice-acting, inventive set pieces, and, yup, four different Spider-Men.

This bugaboo aside, though, NHL 11 really is the best realization of hockey to date. Ultimately, its new physics make for better, more believable hockey that we simply can't recommend enough.

Playing against other people online, you'll have a decent time, but solo players will miss out entirely on the sense of satisfaction that comes from outwitting another person. [Nov 2010, p.81]

It's an ambitious approach to a hunting shooter, but its execution misses the mark. [Nov 2010, p.79]

In around three hours, Lair gives you a mystery to solve; tense shootouts in several locations(including the outside of a spaceship!); a"car" chase through the skies of Ilium; and engrossing boss battles. [Nov 2010, p.81]

Jimmy's Vendetta packs plenty of content--six-plus hours, easily--but you'll feel like you're getting your $10 worth for only the first hours or so. [Nov 2010, p.81]

But as the last of Dragon Age's downloadable expansions, Witch Hunt closes out the story with more of a whimper than a bang. [Nov 2010, p.81]

We love the new ability to craft an extreme weapon out of a couple of items: you can sample a handful of the full game's countless possibilities - including a Spiked Bat (baseball bat + nails) and head-pulping Drill Bucket (bucket + electric drill) - and discovering new combos and unleashing gonzo gear like the Air Horn (pylon + spray paint) is a blast.

Moving, melancholy, and even a bit hopeful, it's a true stunner; don't be surprised if it leaves you a little teary-eyed.

Scott Pilgrim hardly has an original idea of its own, and that's entirely the point: it's a wonderful homage to its predecessors, while still proving thoroughly enjoyable in its own right.

We understand the tightrope any game walks between narrative cohesion and player freedom, and Mafia II makes its choice clear. As a result, its best aspects are exceptional, but we can't help but think that it could've offered so much more.

Guardian of Light plays out like a deftly crafted, fun piece of arcade-style shooting and puzzling expressly made for buddy co-op night on Live. Who knew Lara was such a team player?

This explosive follow-up builds on all the things we enjoyed about the first game while enhancing--or completely replacing--most of the elements that dragged Dead Men into the doldrums. [Oct 2010, p.70]

But even with the lack of variety, Monday Night Combat's two modes pack enough juice to make it our new favorite sport.

Easier to pick up and play (and faster pace) than previous Maddens, without losing any strategic depth.

This game was designed for multiplayer, so if you can't find at least one other person to share the pain, knock off two points from our score. [Oct 2010, p.86]

Hydro Thunder: Hurricane revitalizes the rumbling core of the 11-year-old coin-op, serving up a winning combination of arcade accessibility, tense maneuvering, and cartoonish maritime mayhem. [Oct 2010, p.84]

Nevertheless, at it's reduced price, Continuum Shift is undoubtedly the definitive version for newbies and vets alike. [Oct 2010, p.77]

Fans of the flick or of heroic tales will find a fair bit to like here, but uncovering it all can be a serious chore. [Oct 2010, p.83]

And really, what the team at Playdead has achieved here--in their very first game, no less--is just tremendous. [Oct 2010, p.72]

It's a bit slow to get its hooks into you, but once you clear the first area and open up the rest of the absurd world that its hero inhabits, you won't want to leave. [Sept 2010]

Warrior isn't nearly as deep as other Arcade fighting games, but when buddies and beers are near, it's a decent choice. [Oct 2010, p.81]

We're guessing may of these issues will be sorted out by 2012, but for now, this year's version offers the most technical and comprehensive college-football experience yet. [Oct 2010, p.74]

Only dedicated privateers will make it to the unsatisfying conclusion. [Oct 2010, p.75]

Young baseball fans should take a swing at Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers instead. [Oct 2010, p.81]

Minor control quirks and some tricky puzzles aside, Monkey 2's rare combo of comedy, brain-teasing, and all-ages appeal will have you ready to buy all the fine leather jackets it's selling. [Oct 2010, p.75]

Despite a few neat ideas, it's as though Blacklight doesn't want to be played. After a couple of hours, you'll be happy to oblige. [Oct 2010, p.85]

Its best moments make it well worth sampling. Just don't be surprised if it somehow feels like less than a meal despite its 10-hour playtime. [Aug 2010, p.83]

What's here is already a fun reminder that gem-bashing is the best way to raid dungeons. [Sept 2010, p.86]

You'll need dozens of playthroughs to get a handle on everything that's going on, and Deathsmiles is addictive enough to keep you replaying. [Aug 2010, p.79]

Not since the Lego Star Wars games has this series been so charming. [Sept 2010, p.80]

Multiplayer makes up for a lot. [Sept 2010, p.84]

Enemy A.I. is ludicrously accurate and all-seeing. [Sept 2010, p.85]

The separate online co-op stages can be fun--both Maze and Survival help level up your characters--but the strange blandness of the overall proceedings keeps N3 II from appealing to anyone not mesmerized by constant slaughter. [Oct 2010, p.83]

Fluffy ultraviolence. [Sept 2010, p.79]

Dated gameplay and gags. [Sept 2010, p.81]

We'd have welcomed a simplified Arcade version of Risk with open arms, but Factions surpasses expectations. [Oct 2010, p.85]

Imaginative, visually stunning world to explore. [Sept 2010, p.82]

How'd this even get through quality control? We haven't a clue, but you're better off playing Cabela's Outdoor Adventures...or pretty much any other hunting game. [Oct 2010, p.83]

Though Space Ark is a visual riot of bright pastels, sparkly special effects, and supermarket-circular-burst graphics, it'd be a stretch to say it ever becomes truly exciting. [July 2010, p.85]

Its Pixar charm makes it well worth trying, but it never reaches the level of brilliance that you hope it will. [Aug 2010, p.80]

Online deathmatches are an abandoned ship. [Sept 2010, p.81]

A lost gem. [Aug 2010, p.78]

Ultimately, though, there's nothing here we haven't seen before, and only the most hardcore NeoGeo fighting fans should consider Coliseum a must-buy. [Oct 2010, p.74]

Strong enough to be a no-brainer for ardent fans, but other music-game junkies may find this $60 pill very hard to swallow, especially with Rock Band 3 lingering on the horizon. [July 2010, p.73]

Sadly, this is the second year in a row that the Tiger series has been light on upgrades. [Sept 2010, p.79]

Smart Bomb doesn't try to bite off more than it can chew. [July 2010, p.77]

The Tackle Alley mini-game is fun. [Aug 2010, p.77]

We just had to dig a little deeper than we'd like to get to the good stuff. [Aug 2010, p.74]

Lame animation and boring level design. [July 2010, p.81]

Only a bit of lag in the otherwise fun-as-ever multiplayer modes on Xbox Live mellows the buzz. [Aug 2010, p.78]

So-so gameplay can be confusing. [Sept 2010, p.81]

Beautifully balanced vehicles. [Aug 2010, p.82]

The game successfully achieves the goal of making its predecessor obsolete. [Aug 2010, p.76]

Family and kid-friendly throwaway fun. [Aug 2010, p.75]

It's intense, destructive fun while it lasts, especially with two players. [Aug 2010, p.79]

Aqua's combat and controls are quite good, and yet it feels a bit sleepy, even if the campaign does grow more interesting as you progress. [Aug 2010, p.81]

Ultimately, how much you enjoy Alan Wake’s rollercoaster ride depends on how invested you become in its sophisticated yarn. And it’s one hell of a story, capped off by a quiet, breathtaking denouement that makes good on the opening lines of Alan’s initial descent.

Lets you race through four action movies that have been melted down and poured out on the pavement - who are we to criticize that? [July 2010, p.74]

For all the unique thrills and spectacle the series still delivers, Forgotten Sands never quite reaches the dizzying heights you want it to. [July 2010, p.78]

Less than 60 minutes of uninspired gameplay for $30. [Aug 2010, p.81]

The game is hamstrung by long, dull stretches. [Aug 2010, p.79]

Remember racing RC cars around when you were a kid? Yeah...stick with the memories. [Feb 2009, p.85]

Clunky controls. [July 2010, p.79]

If you can weather the campaign's slow start and the game's wildly overwrought menu system, you'll find more than enough incredible content here to satisfy your Akrid-killing, giant robot-piloting fix. [June 2010, p.74]

Great open world with tons to explore and thrash. [July 2010, p.82]

Even the hardest bosses are just plain dull, and even fully upgraded weapons lack modernized visual punch. [Aug 2010, p.77]

The game's story is so confusing, we didn't understand why things were happening. [July 2010, p.84]

A poor-quality marketing tie-in. [July 2010, p.81]

Kudos to Tecmo for the neat ability to swap between the classic 16-bit look and 3D makeover on the fly (offline only), a la Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition. But sadly, the rest of Throwback feels as flat as those ancient visuals. [Jun 2010, p.82]