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.

While LEGO Harry Potter doesn't pull any punches with the cut and paste LEGO formula, the world surrounding it has been wonderfully imagined culminating into a fantastic experience for anyone who can hold a controller.

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.

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.

It might be the finest family-oriented game released this year, as well as a shining example of how to do a movie tie-in with pizzazz.

The story and dialogue options are excellent and often lead towards compelling as you often feel as though the world is in the balance and your words will influence the survival of those around you. The gameplay however will try your patience now and again, but never becomes annoying enough to be called unplayable.

Unbelievably fun and unique.

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.

More than once Alan Wake reminded us of books, movies, and TV shows that we love and spend hours with every week; it helped merge the video game experience with those other memorable moments. For once a video game was able to show exactly what it means to create something that brings emotion to the gamer; on top of that Alan Wake was just damn fun to play.

Even if Red Dead Redemption doesn’t make your top ten favorites it will at the very least be a tale of outlaws, dead men and deceit that will remain with you for years.

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

Forgotten Sands may not be one of the most stunning games released this year, but just like the previous Prince of Persia games, Forgotten Sands knocks it out of the park with some of the most satisfying platforming you’ll see this year.

At $49.99 Shrek Forever After is a great reason as any to get the whole family together for a night of laughs.

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

If you are a fan don’t let my words keep you from playing Skate 3, it’s a great game with plenty to see and do, it’s just more of the same.

Worth the investment to both appreciate its unique graphical style and just plain have fun beating the ever-loving snot out of pitied fools, made all the more visceral from first-person.

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.

For a series that was considered to be dead, Dead to Rights: Retribution greatly exceeds the poor reputation set up by previous iterations in the series.

It’s got the great gameplay innovations from FIFA 2010 and should keep rabid fans busy until FIFA Soccer 2011.

In a dry spell of arcade releases, Final Fight: Double Impact is a must download.

Every bit of the lighting and digital-effects are top-notch and we can only dream about what the next game will look like, it’s just so damn polished looking.

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.

How to Train Your Dragon plays like it has the potential to be a great family game as well as one of the better movie tie-ins releasing this year, especially for the fantasy-driven children in your family.

Even though the gameplay was left untouched, the game now runs smooth as silk which was one of the biggest frustrations when trying to play multiplayer on the original version of the game due to the massive drops in framerate.

The highs in Metro 2033 are high; with some gripping moments and set pieces that pull you in and leave you wanting more, but throughout the course of Artyom’s quest you can’t help but feel that the game could have been so much more.

Despite a few minor complaints, Toy Soldiers is a tower defense game well worth checking out, on Xbox LIVE Arcade right now.

Bad Company 2's single-player proves far more compelling than its predecessor's, standing up as much more than just preparation for the multiplayer portion of the game, which is undoubtedly what most players will be buying Bad Company 2 for.

As much as I was looking forward to Greed Corp, I ended up finding my hands clutching the controller in anger more than anything as I struggled to understand how exactly the game would perpetuate some of the gameplay mechanics it was subjecting me to.

Ok, lets face it, kart games are made for multi-player and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing really caters handsomely in this department.

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.

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

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.

If you are looking for a mature title that features some of the best action-adventure gameplay on Microsoft’s system look no further than Dante’s Inferno.

My journey with Commander Shepherd opened up a new view of what this form of entertainment can do, and allowed me to emotionally connect (and care) with the virtual characters on my television screen. The dialogue, story progression, graphics, soundtrack, controls, and presentation are all well above what so many other games of this genre are offering these days... PlanetXbox360.com has never given a perfect score, until now.

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.

A constant barrage of bullets and bloodshed from beginning to end, and the perfect excuse for a fist-bumping night of big explosions and even bigger guns.

Divinity 2 isn't a bad game solely because of its throwaway writing and the unfortunate game engine, but because it suffuses every design with hate for the player.

The game does enough to redeem D3 for the faults of the original, and leaves you actually wanting more Matt Hazard. Who would have thought?

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.

This is one of the best action games on the Xbox 360, and it comes from the likes of Japan; go pick up a copy as soon as you can.

While the game certainly wasn't without flaws, I found them to be a bit more forgivable given the overwhelming amounts of fun I was having with the game.

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.

All in all The Saboteur is an awesome game with hours of fun, entertaining game-play with fantastic and authentic sound.

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.

MX vs. ATV Reflex may not be perfect on all levels but simply put it's the best off-road racing game on the market.

Everything about Assassin’s Creed II screams believability, from the real life characters that you interact with to the conflict – it plays out as though direct from the history books. More than once while playing this game did I get that feeling of “this is why I love to play video games” and “it’s one of the best titles of 2009.”

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.

By no means is L4D2 a reinvention of the series, but with so many welcome additions, it feels close to being the perfection of it.

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.

Graphically Modern Warfare 2 sets a bar so high that the game that our industry will look to it as a blueprint of what can be done on next-gen systems. The developers found a perfect balance between realistic and entertainment (just wait until you play-through the airport level) that there were points during our review period that we actually forgot we weren’t watching a HD movie.

It may not have the full Live functionality, but those looking to play in-house with the family will not miss it. The new gig types, youth-oriented gameplay options, and ability to add the import the tracks here for use with Rock Band 2 (with an 800 MS Point fee) make this well worth the lower $50 price tag.

Artists like The Kaiser Chiefs, The Klaxons and The Chemical Brothers are among many that give the game a good atmosphere when you aren't even kicking a football about.

Like the Pulp Fiction of high-fantasy, Dragon Age: Origins is an innovative homage to the greatest works of the genre, woven together with masterful dialogue and an acute sense of social interaction. In terms of storytelling and creating true emotional bonds, Dragon Age: Origins is one of the finest RPGs ever created.

If you have been waiting for a music game that is a bit different than the others and includes the best playlist of pop-songs, put on a disguise and go pick-up Band Hero.

Featuring a number of new features, a likeable protagonist and some new kickass weapons, this latest episode is a great reason to return to Liberty City, especially if you haven’t made the trip in a while.

By the end of the day though, Tekken 6 is a glossy treat that is easy to pick up and play against friends. Veterans will have the jump on the controls, but newcomers need not worry about facing them online as Tekken 6 has a quality match-making system in place where I have only faced off against opponents with similar skill levels.

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.

From the moment we placed Forza Motorsport 3 into our Xbox 360 the game just screamed polish and fine-tuned racing, from every angle...It’s simply the best racing game ever created.

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.

Whether you’re a FPS, RPG or racing fan, this is a must-play game and with multiple different gameplay types, it’s guaranteed to keep you busy for an endless number of hours.

Though it still suffers from some of the nagging problems that have plagued the series for years, the game does a great job giving hardcore fans what they crave while still being accessible to the casual player. This year’s game is an enjoyable sports entertainment experience, even if it just feels like a new coat of paint at times.

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.

It’s literally a heaven for any metalhead looking for an extraordinary collection of metal and all of its subgenres. The art direction of Brutal Legend on the other hand is what pushes the visuals to the next level. Granted, the game isn’t the most beautiful game of 2009, but it’s definitely one of the more impressively designed titles to reach the Xbox 360.

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.

At times it’s frustrating and you’ll die more than you’ll succeed, but when you actually do accomplish a mission, it’s all worth it.

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.

One of the more impressive aspects of Halo 3: ODST is the soundtrack, a symphony of fantastic and epic music that will inspire players to fight their hearts out every minute of the campaign mode. More than once while playing the subtle music ran a chill down our back, reminiscent of something available in only the most intense of films. Overall the title is exactly what we expected it to be, a different look at one of the most beloved franchises on the Xbox 360 console.

Although the controls could use some tightening, the overall experience screams with pure and pleasurable-rage-induced-bloody-action.

To simply spell it out, Need for Speed: Shift is the racing title that fans have been waiting for.

EA deserves kudos for recognizing what worked well in the brilliant NHL 09 title, and making slight, smart tweaks and additions for the spectacular NHL 10. This one has the legs to keep you very busy until next year's inevitable NHL 11.

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.

When push comes to shove, The Beatles: Rock Band is a fantastic addition to the genre and, it goes without saying, the music itself it out of this world.

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.

Defense Grid: The Awakening is not overly original within the tower defense genre, but does everything so exceedingly well in an anemic XBLA genre that it is impossible to resist.

This is easily the most-versatile music game to date, doing so much right for so many different gamers. Even though the basic gameplay is the same thing GH fans have come to love over the past 5 years, there are enough new features and little tweaks that we can finally say this is the true franchise sequel we have been waiting for.

The longevity of Batman: AA is tremendously astounding as a single-player only title.

While the narrative could’ve used better pacing – and more antagonists to boot – Chair Entertainment did an overall great job at retaining the interest all throughout the storyline.

Whether you need to use your environment, lure an enemy to its demise, or choose a specific weapon, you’ll be satisfied with the experience.

Easily and by far the all-together best game of the franchise.

Trials HD is at the same time both a perfectionist's wet dream and horrifying nightmare. Who would have thought the Summer Of Arcade game with the worst name and simplest concept would be among XBLA's finest games?

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.

It’s no secret that MvC2 is not a very accessible game and doesn’t bring anything new to the fighting game table like Street Fighter IV and BlazeBlu, but if you are looking to hone your MvC2 skills on more than those in your immediate vicinity, or just think that Wolverine vs. Megaman would be a dream match, there is little reason not to pick this game up the next time you log online.

King of Fighters XII is a balanced, beautiful game to witness and a fun start for the franchise's next generation, but it absolutely is a case of unfulfilled potential, especially considering it's supposed to be "the year of the fighter."

With its great visual style, simple mechanics, quality level design, and goofy sense of humor, Twisted Pixel has created a game that makes even its most maddening parts a good time.

But even with the new online options and, not to mention, the ability to create custom conferences in the dynasty modes, NCAA Football 10 isn’t a huge leap forward for the franchise – unless you want to count their suicide leap towards making gamers play for extra content and features already included on the disc.

Let’s cross our fingers that EA and Digital Illusions are already hard at work with new maps, vehicles and classes for downloadable content. We can’t tell you a reason not to pick up Battlefield 1943 via the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the ultra-low value of 1200 Microsoft Points; it’s available now.

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.

A shooter that has the look but doesn’t play the part.

To all parents: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is a must-have title for your children on the Xbox 360 – don’t hesitate any longer, rent or buy the prehistoric video game as soon as you can.

Though not earth-shatteringly revolutionary, FNR4’s additions to its Legacy Mode, greater cohesiveness and focus of its controls and enhanced pseudo-realism has made it the definitive boxing experience on both the current-gen consoles.

Not only is the duel-sided single-player campaign features plenty to do, the multiplayer online mode adds hours of fun time for fans and newbies alike. If you are one of those people that will be standing in line tonight to see the midnight premiere of the Transformers sequel this game is a no-brainer purchase, for those gamers looking for an over-the-top action game Revenge of the Fallen should not be overlooked.

The voice-acting is still hilarious at times, the soundtrack is fitting, the graphics are lush, and the humor is more often on, than it is off.

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.

There’s never a dull moment, and with new equipment to test out, the amusement level is always at a high.