We can't really recommend NASCAR the Game: Inside Line to casual players, mainly because of its bumped-up difficulty, its nearly-empty online lobbies and the refusal to really do anything outside the typical NASCAR set-up.

It's like a soap opera demanding that you give a damn about this person when you barely even know them.

I found myself experiencing overused animations, buggy graphic errors, and incredibly forceful controls (I quickly had to resort to button mashing if I had any chance of actually winning a match). It's as if the developers created too much of a flashy shell, with a huge cast of playable characters, extended game modes, content libraries, and deep customization around a somewhat empty core that is the game itself.

The presentation's just below overage, thanks to a number of glitches and uninspired level designs. It just generally falls apart – like some sort of scheme that Naughty Bear has hatched up.

While some aspects of spellcasting take some getting used to, and the horse sequences drone on way too often, you still get your money's worth here, especially if you're a fan of the series. It's just another game that takes you by surprise, despite the heavy criticism and doubts. And that's always good to see.

It's still fun to play and has hours worth of content to conquer, but the Kinect controls and lack of new games keep it from being something for everyone.

Dogfight 1942 doesn't aim high. Its developers stripped away as much as possible while still leaving behind a perfectly average arcade flier.

Part of that fault lies in the game's dialogue. Some of it's rather cheesy, about on the same level as Resident Evil, while other lines just drag out the usual examples of poorly exploited horror. It just doesn't add up in spots.

Slightly Mad dropped the ball a little bit with the game's controls and limitations.

Monotonous gameplay, awkward movements and uninspired missions quickly kill the mood that your hopes for the game had set.

The game gets increasingly difficult, so much that you probably won't want to play through the game upon completing it once or twice except to snag some elusive achievements.

It's a good one to two night rental at best.

Dragon's Lair is a heralded classic that, in some forms, still stands the test of time, but Digital Leisure kind of flubbed this version by overpricing it at ten bucks and trying to make it "new tech" by adding useless Kinect controls.

Though Joy Ride doesn't exactly have the kind of "hook" to make it as fundamentally important as, say, Mario Kart, it's a steal for ten bucks, and a much better game than its Kinect counterpart.

The level design, gameplay and 3D bonus rounds will definitely feel right at home with long-time players, while the frustrating boss battles and terrible soundtrack leave you wondering where Sega could've slipped up in development.

There's quite a bit of awesome story within Game of Thrones, but the real question is if you can take whatever else is provided to get to it.

The presentation doesn't do too much either. Some of the levels look good, and the animations aren't bad, but the dolls are unappealing and don't really sparkle with much personality.

Anyone who has been waiting for a good South Park game should definitely check Tenorman's revenge. Those just wanting a 2D platformer may want to trial the game first as there are definitely better options available.

Almost nothing about in game can be described as enjoyable or satisfying.

A game that does not live up to its potential. From its short campaign to its lack of customization options, it is clear that too much has been sacrificed for the game's online play.

While Rayman is filled with clever dialogue and wonderful music, the gameplay is lacking as racing through levels and mashing the attack button gets old quick.

It's very clear that they wanted to make an anime, but somehow wounded up making a video game instead. It's a short game that you will watch more than you play, only taking about 6 to 7 hours to complete on the hardest difficulty setting. Replay value is laughable, with the only unlocks to be found are different looking health bars.

If you're up for a harder kind of game experience and don't mind a little infuriation to go with your gameplay skills, Warp may just be the thing for you. It's got the kind of challenges to really keep you coming back, especially in the challenge rooms. However, if you're a newbie and prefer a platformer that's not so punishing, we recommend a rental first.

Puddle isn't likely to be a big hit on Xbox Live Arcade due to its ridiculously high difficulty scale and its physics-heavy gameplay. However, if you're a fan of the LocoRoco games or are seeking out a whole different kind of platformer, this one's worth getting your feet wet over.

If you've got proper funds and a skill set to match, you'll have a good time with Scarygirl. While the presentation isn't as top shelf as those nifty stop-motion animated films I mentioned, it definitely holds up compared to other platformers of this nature. And the gameplay is fun too, as long as you don't develop an over reliance to throwing things around.

The sloppy gameplay and missing long-term replayability leave it being stuck in the "Kinect gimmick game" pile, rather than standing out.

Stop torturing those poor worms, Team 17!

Anime fans will devour it alive, but everyone else probably won't get just what the hell Cell is.

An acceptable entry in the kart-racing genre. While there aren't many folks online, the local multiplayer makes up for it, and the modes included here will keep you busy if you're all about power sliding and bombing someone's car with a sack of yard scraps.

The overall experience is reminiscent of something you may have loved on the Super NES or Sega Genesis. Young gamers should find it appealing especially if they liked the movie, but even the low price tag can't quite muster a bang for your buck.

War in the North is not a bad game, but it is an average one.

This is Jurassic Park we're talking about. It doesn't deserve anything in the realm of mediocrity. I may have been entertained with the story-telling but that isn't enough to excuse the gameplay or the fact that none of the dinosaurs were generally scary.

The game is way too short and there isn't enough to its narrative to get even close to being interested in playing it again. While there are some cool moments, I generally found myself getting too bored or frustrated with the races and the game's conclusion only made the story even more pointless.

This game is definitely not for everybody. If you don't have Xbox Live, prefer to play games by yourself, or just don't have very much patience, you should probably pass on this.

Fans should enjoy it, but, for us, it just covers too much of the same territory we plowed through before. Give us Dead Rising 3 already…and not Dead Rising 2.5 or 2.7.

It's almost as if Techland rushed this through testing merely to get back on Dead Island development…which would make sense if they had an idea how bad this game was getting.

Fails to rise above the other fitness games out there, due to its spotty body movement detection and questionable audio choices.

An improvement over Sega's previous comic book screw-ups, and that's saying something, but there's still a handful of errors that keep him from truly saving the day.

Is Duke Nukem Forever as awful as some folks are saying? No. But is it a project that's been worth waiting for over the last decade? Also no. It's disappointing that Gearbox couldn't quite make the whole experience a worthwhile effort for someone like Duke, while, by the same token, it sticks to its retro guns fittingly in some parts, enough to make the game worth a rental.

The game has left us feeling in the middle of the road, admiring certain things like weapon classes and gameplay tweaks, but dreading online lag and unfair AI. It's worth a rental to see if it's something you'd enjoy in the long-term, but don't be surprised if, like us, you're left wondering how much better it could've been.

Fails to deliver as both an action game and as a Thor game. Sega clearly put effort into incorporating Thor's background lore and they did an admirable job of incorporating a rogue's gallery pulled straight from the Marvel comics, but they ultimately failed in delivering a fun gaming experience. I cannot even recommend this game to fellow Thor fans, as the repetitive combat, unmemorable puzzles, and shoddy platforming prevent this adventure from even achieving rentable status.

Seems really limited all around. Along with the lack of online functionality, the game is also missing the ability to download more songs for the library. It also doesn't really add much in the way of incentives.

Its colorful presentation may be too much for some to stomach, it isn't long before the games or general content becomes repeated, and the lack of online play shuts the door on any expanded competition.

The camera is unfocused and frustrating; the gameplay too chaotic for its own good; and the lack of a strong storyline make it feel like everything's barely holding together with cheap adhesive.

It's a decent collection if you've never owned the system, with plenty of Achievements and nostalgic value for everyone else. However, it could've been so much more. This isn't a dedicated gift, it's almost the equivalent of a mildly tasteful fruitcake.

Unless you were a huge fan of the original, Test Drive Unlimited 2 is probably a ride you can skip. Between huge problems with the servers (which should've been fixed before the game launched, honestly), an iffy control set-up and a boring lifestyle-led story mode, it just never feels like paradise.

Tuck away the painful memories of the first game and try out this one. You'll feel some validation…even if it takes a little while to get there.

On one hand, it's easy to say that Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 runs the basics for a sequel, not really pushing forward enough to make the formula excel. On the other, it could've been a lot worse, as it's a fun platforming romp while it lasts.

It doesn't make as much of an impact as Atomic expected, but if you're stuck on a budget and can't afford one of the more popular $60 games right now, this is a certainly adequate substitute for $15.

Normally I wouldn't mind graphics that weren't state-of-the-art if they had a unique style to them, but Mindjack's style is just too bland to excuse.

Its presentation goes the distance, but the cruddy gameplay and unbalanced AI keep this ride firmly grounded. Get your cruising kicks elsewhere.

Tron: Evolution was obviously the best effort Propaganda could pump out in time for the movie, but it quickly becomes evident that the tale of Clu's uprising is sadly a rushed attempt to nab a fan's dollars and sense.

I can't rightly recommend it to anyone other than those frothing at the mouth for more time in the skies. I commend Ubisoft for attempting to experiment with the genre, but each new mechanic they've tried to implement into H.A.W.X. 2 drags down the best elements of the game.

Everything in the game is sloppily executed; the plot, the visuals, the multiplayer, everything in the game feels broken in some form or another. Even if you enjoyed the first, I implore you to avoid N3II.

Since all the gameplay mechanics, missions and much more have glaring flaws it’s hard to recommend this game to anyone.

The game fails to impress for the most part, but its one glowing achievement is the fact that I could play through it and didn’t ever really find myself hating my time with it.

Aliens vs Predator is a string of recognized images and elbow-jabs asking, "Remember this?" An average shooter with the source material done well.

The jetpack is one of the coolest video game accessories that can ever show itself in a next-gen title, unfortunately controlling said jetpack is nearly impossible inside close quarters.

Ultimately, I can't recommend the title at 800 MS points, but the demo is available and worth a shot for anyone who feels puzzle titles are closer to their hearts than games belonging to other genres.

Ultimately though, for those who enjoy the niche quality of retro titles, there is something enjoyable and genuinely fun here for you.

It works fine, but the out-of-place mini-game feels like an XBLA title they tossed into the mix here rather than charging for it on its own.

It is not anywhere near the level of complexity of Little Big Planet, but the level creation could have definitely made up for a lot of the game's ills if opened to the Live community.

All true CSI fans, turn your speakers up, put the kettle on and switch off your phone, as you get comfortable in your favourite chair.

The chaos is fun to be a part of for the first few hours, but it becomes redundant too quick to recommend for anyone who isn’t looking for a title to play online or offline cooperatively with a family member or friend.

In a time of scarcity, MagnaCarta 2 should find a safe home with a RPG fanatic.

There is far from enough depth here to keep veteran puzzle gamers entertained, and the lack of camera control will lead plenty to giving up before the second act, but the game's charms do work their magic on you the longer you play.

Make no mistake about it, this game feels like it came right from Jigsaw’s twisted mind. Everything from Tobin Bell’s raspy performance as Jigsaw, to the screams of victims feels pitch-perfect and believable.

The game is a much better rental or title that is best left to borrowing from a friend who was fooled into buying it due to their ‘80’s nostalgia.

The BIGS 2 won’t have the longevity to last the rest of the summer. The lack of fresh gameplay improvements and additions keeps The BIGS 2 as a rental.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is not worth anything more than an afternoon sit-down or rainy weekend rental.

With 80, repetitive single-player missions that progressively become more difficult by simply increasing the number of enemies and the amount of damage they do, a similarly infuriating ‘Endurance’ mode that throws massive streams of enemies at the player, and a fun looking online multi-player mode that no one seems to play, Rocket Riot may be enjoyable for an occasional local multiplayer session, but little more.

The video game does an excellent job at recapturing the charm and essence of what made the film so successful. The only issue is that Up doesn’t offer longevity by the baker’s dozen.

Terminator Salvation is only worth a weekend rental if you have a few friends coming over to play cooperative with.

It’s a title nowhere near the upper echelon of Xbox 360 titles, but it’ll fit quite well in a catalogue for gamers who prefer action-oriented games over the standard first-person shooter fare that overruns the Xbox 360 game library.

I appreciate Vin Diesel’s love for gaming, and the plans he has for future games, but I can’t help but hope that the subsequent releases from his studio don’t cater to his Hollywood nature. His games will benefit from it.

Trivial Pursuit earns high marks for accessibility and coming up with fresh gameplay ideas for a game older than most 360 owners.

It will be interesting to see what they do with the sequel, because repetition aside, it is a gorgeous looking game.

In the end, Eat Lead's story and characters have far more personality than the gameplay.

But judging the game on what’s included, there’s just not enough here to entice gamers that aren’t hardcore NHL fans.

It’s gruesome, it’s vibrant with style and has Samuel L. Jackson providing VO’s; it’s a formula for success. But, as always with hack-n-slash titles, the replay value is limited and the action becomes droning within a few hours.

It passes out achievements like their cheap candy and there is a certain charm when playing as your favorite characters. It also draws heavily from the movies and, like it did to me, might reignite your desire to watch them. Yet, none of these traits make for great gameplay. With short campaigns, frustrating combat, and chaotic multiplayer LotR: Conquest feels like a $60 reminder that Peter Jackson makes awesome movies.

The interesting yet predictable narrative is buried deep within poor design choices.

There’s nothing particularly bad about The Last Remnant. Despite its flaws, it does remain a competent, if unremarkable RPG.

In the end, Sega’s insistence in holding onto these flawed elements transforms what could have been a truly excellent take on the classic Sonic formula, into a messy, ugly beast of a game. All these unnecessary nocturnal distractions end up outstaying their welcome even before you get tired of them, and this whole feral business is beginning to wear thin.

The dedication to simulating college hoops will entice veterans and push away newcomers.

Much like the previous Sports Snowboarding games on Xbox 360, Shaun White Snowboarding is a slick and presentable title on the surface, which doesn’t have the mastery or depth to guarantee long-term entertainment.

Nevertheless, Naruto: The Broken Bond certainly has plenty for the anime enthusiast. The game flows smoothly, and everything in it feels just like it does in the cartoon. The only problem with this is that the game sometimes sacrifices its gameplay to deliver this very authenticity, and you might find yourself wondering why you shouldn’t just go and watch the anime instead.

There are certainly moments where you’ll feel as if you actually are Bond but for the majority of time, you’ll be wondering where all the fun is.

Ambitious as it is, The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon does its job well with an admirable storyline and incredible audio department.

Rock Revolution is a disaster.

The game succeeds in what it is trying to be but fails to be the amazing Crash game that we are all waiting for.

At least the presentation is fantastic.

If Traveller’s Tales can figure out how to put a little more production into the graphical presentation and include an online cooperative mode, you might just see the next LEGO title as a potential GOTY candidate if they keep up their stellar success of churning out real winners.

It made some strides, but it’s ultimately a shallow game.

What can gamers take away from their experience with Zoids Assault? Well, first off, the strategy role-playing genre is still in need of a worthy candidate to make the genre look extraordinary again. Secondly, the developers need to hire better writers to create a campaign truly worthy of our time.

The blend of shallow button-mashing controls and overly tough computer enemies make for an experience that neither hardcore nor casual gamers can really get into.

The general management tools are exquisite and will definitely satisfy those who wanted to feel superior then their computer AI counterparts in putting together the perfect team.

The audio portion contains pitiful voice-acting and sound effects while having a great soundtrack. Yeah, it’s easy to notice that Warhammer is a mixed bag.