The music is sensational, and though it was done by an in-house team hired by Dodrill, they definitely keep the adventurous tone flowing throughout, even with the slower town exploration themes. The voicework is great too.

Unless you have a high end PC capable of running the game smoothly on at least high settings, get the Xbox 360 version. It's a complete experience right out of the box that comes with some great content within in the box itself like a map, soundtrack and quest handbook.

The presentation is mostly right on, and the gameplay feels on par with Criterion's best work.

If you were a huge fan of last year's game, there might not be enough in 13 to warrant an immediate purchase but FIFA 13 is certainly the best football game to date until at least the next generation.

A game for all ages to enjoy. That is the rarest kind of game to behold these days, and each game that fits this description is a treasure to be respected.

If you're up for some destruction and don't have Angry Birds handy, this is clearly the next best thing.

If you have ever played a Guitar Hero game, then you will feel right at home with the game play because it is completely unchanged. To me this is a good thing.

Paradise breaks the mold of its previous franchise games, and pulls it off in a big way. Its rare that a developer can make large scale changes and still put out a winning product.

Great gameplay, impressive graphics and fantastic innovations have raised the standard for all sports games. The controls are fantastic with both novice and expert configurations. The graphics are top-notch, and flow smoothly.

Moving on from all the glitz and glamour a fighting game is nothing without solid controls and fight mechanics. Once again, the controls and characters movements are phenomenal.

If you are one of the few golf fans that have held off the last year or two waiting on new features or courses, wait no longer; this is the year that Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters contends for sports game of the year.

Forza 2 delivers on almost every level possible for what a sequel would have to offer. Better graphics, more tracks, tons more cars (300+); well the word tons does not even begin to describe the amount of cars this game has.

Just Cause 2 would have been a much better game if the missions were more varied or sadly, thrown out completely. But again, you will only think about it a couple times as the gameplay will certainly keep you entertained.

Rock Band Blitz defines a new era of addiction for the franchise, presenting a worthwhile effort to Xbox Live Arcade that will draw you in for months at a time.

What could've been a second-rate PC port for the service is instead a quality addition, one with hours' worth of gameplay, whether going on your own or joining up with friends in the building community. The stuff you can make is only limited by your imagination, and though it takes time, the effort is certainly worth it.

Loaded with options benefitting both single play and online interaction, it's got just about everything a fan would truly want except you still can't make Gretzky bleed.

The gameplay is both intuitive and entertaining, while the presentation goes head and shoulders over most other shooters out there. You might have missed it the first time around on the Saturn – but whatever you do, don't miss it this time.

Capcom has done a remarkable job in presenting these beloved classics in their original state while adding just enough extra content like CRT Mode, The Vault and the slew of filters that allow you to recreate the game to look exactly like the last time you played it during the '90s.

Though it's got its problems, Dishonored is a damn good game, one that makes use of a compelling storyline and wraps it into strong first-person gameplay, and a presentation that's pretty hard to beat.

If you enjoy horror games, or if you just want to experience a true next-gen game, you owe it to yourself to pick up Condemned: Criminal Origins.

Pick up DJ Hero 2 as it's easily the best rhythm game released so far this year and quite possibly a contender for my favorite rhythm game ever.

Gameplay that constantly changes with each weapon you pick up and challenges galore, especially in the arena. The presentation is also top notch, a true sign of dedication from Joe "Mad" Maduriera and his team.

Contracts is a huge addition, and one that'll add months of replay value long after you complete the single player mode. Throw in a "killer" presentation and you've got one of the year's most surprising sequels.

If gamers know what’s best for them, they’d pick up FIFA Soccer 10 the first chance they get; it's easily the best soccer game on the Xbox 360.

No, NFL Blitz isn't PRECISELY the same as its old counterpart, because, yep, we do miss the late hits. But it's as good as arcade football gets, a must-have Xbox Live game that easily overshadows Madden NFL Arcade as our favorite go-to sports game. It really goes well with NBA Jam: On Fire Edition.

With a new lead and a story that actually clicks better than expected, it's a wonderful sequel that surpasses the original. Though some aspects can be questioned, the game as a whole gives you a bunch to do, online and off, and some incredible means to get it done.

The gameplay, both driving and shooting, is wild, gory fun; the graphics raise the bar on how a next-generation product is supposed to look; the audio is top-quality; and the multiplayer stuff that does exist is more than enough to keep you and your fellow gamers busy.

Let's Dance is a fun game that does what it sets out to do. The game provides a fun and friendly atmosphere that is great for parties with friends or even learning a few steps in private to take with you to the club.

Brilliant.

The presentation is superbly polished, and having McCaffrey on board makes the Max magic happen all over again.

It's ridiculous how Visual Concepts makes a monumental series and continues to improve upon it, even if it's in small and subtle ways. NBA 2K13 shows nothing but forward progress, and continues to be one of the best sports series on the planet.

A great game that comes up shy in being the ultimate Halo experience. Since this is 343's first installment in what is supposed to be a new trilogy, I think they deserve plenty of credit for making a game that may not be revolutionary but opens the doors for some major improvements in the future.

What a great and “fun” way to start the New Year of video gaming, developer Vigil Games have a true action experience on their hands with Darksiders.

Trials Evolution eclipses the original game, just as a good sequel should. RedLynx really took their time with this one, but it paid off, between some splendid track designs, plenty of replay value, challenging gameplay and one of the best presentation set-ups put into a downloadable game.

Be warned: just like the games of our past Fez is a game that will constantly test you, frustrate you, and then reward you in ways only a game like this can.

A great game that has the feel and look of the old PES titles with the visuals of a true next-gen game.

There are a few weak points, such as clumsy menu navigation, great but lacking online support, and reliance on the Microsoft D-pad, but overall VF5 is a very strong title, and fans of fighting games are going to love this game.

A violent and satisfying piece of visual poetry. The storytelling is one of the more impressive in recent memory and the abilities presented bring something fresh to console shooters. It’s just too bad the multiplayer is a disappointment. It’s the only thing holding me back from dubbing this stunner a classic.

An immensely enjoyable game that is suited not only to the hardcore, but the casuals as well.

This review is not about nitpicking specific mechanics, it’s about the creation of something new and enjoyable; Tony Hawk: Ride brings a whole lot of fun to the rehashed video game market.

Despite some AI issues and the occasional online hiccup, NBA Jam is more fun than we remember it being.

Not since the old days of Psygnosis' Destruction Derby games have we been able to really go in and trash cars for the sake of trashing cars.

Xbox 360 typically lacks good platformers, but Bionic Commando Rearmed is a great one. Though it only takes several hours to beat, you will keep coming back to find more secrets and best your times in the challenge rooms. This is one of the best remakes ever made for a current generation console, check it out as soon as humanly possible.

Split/Second is a phenomenal experience for everyone almost more so for those who take little to no interest in racing.

Ultimate Carnage makes excellent use of what the Xbox 360 has to offer including fantastic online play and superb graphics. If you like console racers and destroying cars and scenery, this title is worth a look. The fact that this game was released as a $50 bargain title, and has strong replay value, makes it a no-brainer.

Overall, a truly Next Gen title that is hopefully a sign of things to come as this console matures.

It can be repetitious at times and the plot is not only ridiculous, but it feels far too forced. Complaints aside, Crackdown 2 is a joy to play. You'll find the best moments to be had are found when playing with three other people, but it's still a blast even when searching Pacific City on your own.

The sound design isn't going to do much for you if you're not a fan of the direction electronic music has taken these days, but I personally feel that the game's soundtrack is of incredible quality and matches perfectly with Borderland's style and how it plays. It's intense, powerful, edgy and exactly what a videogame of this caliber needs in order to stay immersed with the atmosphere.

PGR3 may not have changed the winning formula but it’s hard to fault a title that stays true to such a successful recipe.

With upgraded graphics, improved story features, new gameplay additions, and a full roster of fantastic characters it’s nearly impossible not to recommend this game as a full-fledged purchase.

The storyline and cg movies are confusing at best and some of the camera issues can cause more than a few irritating circumstances. On the other hand the amazing gameplay, mech battles, graphics, and online modes each have their own amount of greatness that makes Capcom games so damn fun.

The game holds up better than the majority of games even half its age, and provides a rich gaming experience that will have 360 owners drooling in anticipation of the next great retro release on Arcade.

NHL 12 just adds in the Icing on the Cake with the fine tuning put into this year's game. Whether it's the new Presentation or additions to Be a Pro, NHL 12 is a phenomenal sports game.

The sound is exquisite. Along with an inspired soundtrack featuring several original ditties (complete with vocals straight out of the 80's), the game also has terrific voicework for Ms. Splosion Man, who utters everything from Valley Girl talk to Madonna to current lines by Lady Gaga.

After finishing up the single-player campaign for the second time I came away very happy and found that I wish there was more to play. Finding yourself smiling more than once while finding a new way to kill an enemy or blow up that dinosaur skeleton is a normal occurrence for this game. The gameplay is simply superb and it looks really good while doing it.

A worthwhile follow-up, a splendid sci-fi shooter with lots of destruction to go around and awesome supplementary modes, both solo and with friends.

The addition of two new armies as well as vehicles and the multiplayer “class system” polish off the full package.

I'd be hard pressed to say that there is a moment of silence in Vanquish' 4-6 hour campaign, as Sam tears through the Russian opposition. Yes, you read that right, 4-6 hours, but every hour is an adrenaline rush hardly seen in shooters in recent memory.

Though El Shaddai could've used a little more replay value (or perhaps even some online multiplayer – not just leaderboard support), this game definitely looks and sounds like the sort of product that deserves multiple playthroughs, if only to relive its majesty for repeat visits and see what a talented development team can do.

A wonderfully drafted love letter to fans in terms of design, story aside. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions was a risk. Beenox dropped the open-world environments for a linear experience, but it turned out for the best. Each universe feels almost completely different from the others in design and play.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow may not be a Castlevania game, but that certainly doesn't hold it back from being a fantastic monster hunt that gives me hope for future 3D games featuring the Castlevania tag.

The graphics are really outstanding for a game of this type, and the combat/stealth/social scenarios are second-to-none, giving you a wide range of choices, whether it's how you play through the game or adapt your body to make situations fare better in your favor.

Castle Crashers is a fantastic addition to XBLA, and a must-have for your collection. There are few games on the service that can match the depth here, and those that come close do not offer Live co-op.

EA did one hell of a job with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 making it easily the best golf game I have ever played on a home console, having a perfect mix of arcade type golf and simulation style that those hardcore fans are going to love.

We do wish the menu was a little more accessible, though. Sometimes the game has a hard time reading certain gestures of your hand. Luckily, the added voice control makes it a little better, so you can shout out what you want to do instead of forcibly moving pointers around.

All in all, P.B. Winterbottom is a wonderful casual game experience and it will keep players craving for more. P.B. Winterbottom is now available on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace at a reasonable price of 800 Microsoft Points so don’t worry it won’t break the bank.

More extras would've been good, but overall this game is about the journey, not the destination. And what a refreshing journey it is.

The Mojave wasteland is packed with memorable locations and characters and is a worthy followup to Fallout 3. I just expected more from New Vegas but in the end it all feels like a giant expansion upon the premise laid out two years ago.

If you're more experienced and have an idea of what you might be getting into here, it's worth the pain and suffering – in a twisted way. The presentation is top-notch material; the gameplay, though punishing, does pick up over the course of the game; and the multiplayer is surprising, mainly because you don't know whether to expect a friend or foe.

War for Cybertron isn't going to make fans foam at the mouth, but it's another showing that games based off franchises can actually be well-developed and exceptionally fun. High Moon Studios deserves a pat on the back for taking on a challenge and delivering a great game in War for Cybertron that no Transformers fan should miss.

At 800 Microsoft points (about $10 USD), Marble Blast Ultra is a solid game with some refreshing gameplay ideas for those who have grown weary from this years recycled arcade titles.

Perhaps let down by a short and unbelievably easy single player adventure, Prey’s unique features, fun multiplayer and genuinely interesting story make for a fantastic FPS that puts generic, lazy copycats to shame and should be at least tried.

San Francisco has been faithfully re-rendered, down to every street block and tourist spot. And you can easily view and zip to events on a map using a useful HUD that shows you where everything is. The characters look great, too, and, thankfully, they never get out of the car to run around, like they did in Driver 2. This is one smooth-looking ride, baby.

We haven't seen a dancing game that's looked this fun since the old days of Dance Dance Revolution and the dance-bot. If anything here truly shines, though, it's the soundtrack.

While Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit's AI issues and lacking soundtrack keep it from racing perfection; it's still well worth your time, thanks to a huge online component and plenty of fast-paced racing action.

Even though Madden NFL 09 is not perfect in any shape or form it is the best football experience available on the Xbox 360 and should be checked out by new fans of the series as well as twenty-year veterans. The new features tossed into the game give Madden 09 a bit of everything for everyone who enjoys football.

The presentation is inspired, and the gameplay maintains a careful balance of strategic thinking and crazy action.

Upgraded graphics and improved gameplay solidify it as a legitimate marquee next generation title. For those who are not particularly partial to the hack and slash action genre I would recommend you hold out. Ninja Gaiden fans should purchase Itagaki-san’s last chapter immediately and those who do fancy the genre should do the same.

UFC 2009 Undisputed is one of the best real-life fighting games out there on the Xbox 360 and should by no means be ignored by sports fans across the globe, especially those that have been waiting to spill some blood on the octagon floor.

Volition put forth a game worthy of challenging GTA of its crown for king of the sandbox.

Battlefield 3 may not be the absolute powerhouse I desired; as it still suffers from some irritating glitches and a mediocre campaign. If you're not going online, there really isn't enough to recommend this game. The multiplayer stands as a game on its own and is the absolute reason to pick up Battlefield 3 ASAP. If it isn't all the unlockables that keeps you playing month after month, it will certainly be the exposure to a massive online shooter that creates a different experience with every match.

While Bulletstorm could've used a little more balancing in the multiplayer department and maybe some more coding work on the AI, it's an overall fun ride that's been well worth the wait. What you get out of the game specifically depends on what you put into your kills – be as sick as you want to be, and you'll reap the rewards.

BioShock 2 is most enjoyable when it doesn't get clouded with a need to prove it can stand against literature or film; video games already trump these. As it stands, BioShock 2 is like its Little Sister, an ugly little thing that, if you stick with it, is rewarding.

A bold new direction for the series, one that slightly remembers the drifting fundamentals while throwing in all sorts of new rules and tricks to liven things up. It's a lot of fun to play online and off, and the presentation really guns it in all directions.

Since it came into the office it has taken over as the number one requested “party game” when people stop by, even if those gamers are not what most would consider hardcore. It has the ability to reach into the core of nearly anyone and bring out that experience that games of this type should result in.

The new wireless Les Paul guitar alone is reason enough to shell out the money for this game; it can also be used when replaying a little GH2. An amazing track list, new boss battles, characters, and an entirely new online mode just keep the list going of reasons to buy this game.

TMNT boasts 200 achievement points attainable through a variety of different tasks such as beating a level in a specific time limit or beating a boss without being injured. The addition of online co-op multiplayer and the other small features are great and add some replay value to an already cheap game.

It took three tries, but EA finally gave us a solid NFL game for next gen consoles. The fact that our Madden is better than the other guy’s is just icing on the cake.

If you love Forza and love exploring, there really isn't any reason why you shouldn't pick up Forza Horizon.

Though Fable III doesn't change the formula too much from what worked in Fable II, it's a strong continuation of the series for Peter Molyneux and Lionhead Studios. It's got great replay value, between the side quests and moral judgment calls, and the presentation, though not quite flawless, is truly fit for a king.

Fight Night fans and fighting game veterans will stand-up and applaud at the stunning visuals and solid mechanics that Fight Night Champion brings to the table.

A competently designed, if not elementary strategy title that brings a lot of new ideas to a remarkably aged franchise without utterly breaking the established rules in a way that would alienate lifelong players or chase off recruits who are still a bit green.

Pure is, without a doubt, the most unique racer to release in the second half of 2008. Forget driving cars and trucks; pick up Pure and kick up mud with your own custom ATV. There aren’t any better options when it comes to off-road racing on the Xbox 360.

Each one of the sound effects and songs that blast out of the speakers while kicking some devil ass is done with developing perfection, helping the overall atmosphere that is created in the moody setting.

DiRT 2 is honestly one of the year’s best surprises in the sense that it surpasses expectations. The multiplayer this time around is improved by leaps and bounds since it now supports up to eight players competing to cross the finish line. Even for gamers who don’t appreciate the racing genre, there’s a lot of fun to be had in DiRT 2.

So PC fans, don't panic – even though I personally believe Crysis for console is better than the PC version, it's not meant to totally replace the PC version. Rather, its purpose is to give the original Crysis experience to the masses, and honestly, why wouldn't PC gamers want that?

If "World of Warcraft" had a baby with "Star Wars" and the doctor pumped it full of steroids the final result would be Silicon Knight’s Too Human.

While some may grow frustrated at the difficult challenges and later stages, tenacious platformer fans will find nothing but the utmost enjoyment in this title.