Shank 2 isn't quite as robust or refreshing as its predecessor, but it's another damn fine (and fun!) downloadable adventure.

Whether you're tackling it solo or with friends, Simpsons Arcade likely won't take more than an hour to run through from start to finish, making the $10 price tag seem a little steep. Even so, there's a lot to take in, especially in this version.

Ultimately, despite its few hours of gory entertainment, Ryder White's an underwhelming add-on that we'd recommend only to fervent Dead Island fans.

The Darkness II's copious gore might upset sensitive stomachs, but it's vastly superior to its predecessor in every respect, spinning a frantic, fantastic neo-noir nightmare you won't want to end. Even those who ordinarily dismiss horror with a shake of the head should give it a shot.

10 bucks isn't bad for a few hours of pleasantly frenzied multiplayer, provided you can coax a few comrades into joining you for the local-only ride.

[A] few soft spots are what keep Kingdoms of Amalur from being truly dazzling. It's a great RPG - one that gives you an almost Bethesda level of freedom - and it has so much content that you could be playing the game for a couple of months. [Mar 2012, p.72]

Having this much Taken-slaughtering glee in such a small, concise package makes Alan Wake's American Nightmare an instant "yes, please" for series fans. But what's more surprising is that its accessible approach to combat makes it an equally worthwhile experience for those who've never suspended their disbelief to wander Wake's dream-like world. [Mar 2012, p.62]

Not every activity enthralls, and it's a brief overall affair with little incentive for repeated solo-play once you complete a couple of cycles. But Happy Action Theater is an absolute powder keg of a party experience, instilling childlike delight in nearly anyone that crosses its path while proving imaginative minds can still make inspired use of Kinect.

Even if NeverDead isn't quite the quirky prize it might have been, it's certainly an idiosyncratic (and often one-legged) dance through entertainingly outlandish territory.

SoulCalibur V feels new without feeling reinvented. It's not genre-defining and it's not the complete overhaul probably needed to make SoulCalibur important in tournament-fighting circles, but it's still flashy enough to keep fans interested and technical enough to convert some series holdouts.

It's fun, it's wacky, and it's quintessentially Saints Row - but it's also crazy-short. Each of these four new main missions unlocks a similar activity on the world map where you'll earn new crew, respect, money, and vehicles, but that's it - and eight new scenarios aren't worth $7, we say.

Regrettably, Puddle's enticing possibilities are mired in a swamp of irritating issues. Increasingly lethal obstacles take the place of actual puzzles, and overcoming them requires painful trial and error. Meanwhile, the camera frequently focuses on runaway specks even as most of your goop starts to dissolve once it's off-screen.

The game's arguably a bit short (though it is $10), and some of the ghost encounters are marred by attack prompts that aren't always recognized. But if you have the patience (and the health reserves) to endure a few irritating battles, you'll find Haunt worth the visit.

The bigger issue, though, is that Motion Explosion just isn't very interesting, either solo (with single stages or a randomized three-level Motion Mix) or in alternating rounds with four players. It's pretty much excitement-free.

The central story mode follows December's movie with players unlocking successive sets of songs and stages. Free play and same-screen co-op modes round out the package, with all content generously unlocked from the start. Between the kid-friendly dance-a-thon and the Chipmunk singing, Chipwrecked is equal parts adorable and grating. Your young ones will have a blast getting down with Alvin and his pals while you can at least take solace in the easy Gamerscore boost.

Its novel setup could've made Amy an exciting, emotionally charged adventure. Instead, it's a grueling death-march through a gauntlet of poor design choices and feckless player punishment.

It's not so much broken as an unnecessary addition to your gaming library. [Feb 2012, p.78]

It's goofy, straightforward fun that's hampered by its occasional lack of responsiveness to your tablet inputs. [Feb 2012, p.78]

It's a fun, exciting template; hopefully it'll return in a bigger, smoother sequel. [Feb 2012, p.747]

As you grit your teeth through 30 missions, you'll run into frustration aplenty. [Feb 2012, p.76]

Feels absolutely barren - which makes the $40 price point both baffling and ridiculous. [Feb 2012, p.74]

The same inconsistent Kinect recognition that drove us batty last year. [Feb 2012, p.74]

Hits just enough right notes to keep a solo player interested. [Feb 2012, p.74]

We must say, though, using Kinect to spin the big wheel is a treat. [Feb 2012, p.74]

Survey responses tend to be puzzlingly inconsistent. [Feb 2012, p.74]

If you don't mind a little aggravation, Capsized has its charms. [Feb 2012, p.72]

FFXIII-2 repairs almost every problem with Final Fantasy XIII, delivering an experience that feels like what that original game should have been. If your faith in Final Fantasy has been damaged by past disappointment, playing FFXIII-2 will restore your excitement for the franchise's future. [Feb 2012, p.68]

We're not quite ready to hail it as an MVP between the pylons, but NFL Blitz is a fine $15 reboot. Nevertheless, our fingers remain crossed for a bolder On Fire Edition (à la NBA Jam) next season.