Sackboy's latest won't dethrone any kart-racing kings, but it's adorable style, plentiful content, and accessible creation tools make it a worthy competitor to the cup. [Holiday 2012, p.84]

Despite these flaws, however, Okami is still one of our favorite games and more than worth a meager 20 bucks. [Holiday 2012, p.82]

For a trippy rush of never-give-up candor and liberating loop-de-loops, take a trip back to the Sega Saturn and switch off your brain for a while. [Holiday 2012, p.81]

It's an addictive cycle, and every step has its own interesting challenges, RPG and strategy fans shouldn't let this little sleeper pass by. [Holiday 2012, p.81]

Goal-oriented gamers needing a concrete beginning and end will be let down, but if you're easily engrossed with multiplayer and exploration, Most Wanted is certainly a blast. [Holiday 2012, p.78]

Absolutely enchanting from start-to-finish, Swan is a real treat and a prime example of why bigger isn't always better. [Holiday 2012, p.77]

Joe Danger 2 might test our patience, but it's still a great little game well worth the download. [Holiday 2012, p.72]

Although last year's NASCAR The Game 2011 was a credible effort, Inside Line is the first NASCAR racing game in years that feels like someone cared. [Holiday 2012, p.72]

It's not the revolution we were hoping for, bit it's easily the best portable Creed fix yet. [Holiday 2012, p.,70]

ACIII certainly has its high points: the addictive multiplayer, refined mechanics, involving characters, and unique setting all help to create a rich, compelling experience that surpasses both Brotherhood and Revelations. [Holiday 2012, p.67

The sheer number of unlockables and challenges adds tons of replayability to a game that already demands multiple playthroughs. [Holiday 2012, p.74]

Its controls aren't quite as precise as we'd like for a platformer, and the old-school difficulty can be occasionally punishing, but those gripes aside, Hell yeah's a twisted trip worth taking. [Dec 2012, p.86]

The smaller screen makes precision work tricky, but touch controls make it quicker. [Dec 2012, p.84]

All said and done, this is an extremely solid racing experience. [Dec 2012, p.85]

The gameplay doesn't change much, but the story is more fleshed out on PS3, the levels are longer, and the controls work well. [Dec 2012, p.83]

Newcomers might not understand the appeal(or get the jokes), but gamers who grew up in the '80s will think it's totally rad. [Dec, p.83]

The all-new Control Stick system highlights this year's gameplay improvements, allowing more precise ball handling through the Right-analog stick. [Dec 2012, p.82]

The bargain price(along with the Metal Gear Rising: Revengence demo)might make it more attractive to gamers new to Zone of the Enders, and it's definitely worth it for old fans. [Dec 2012, p.81]

A relentlessly addictive, almost endlessly replayable experience. [Dec 2012, p.78]

First-person hand-to-hand combat feels a bit awkward, and the lack of boss battles means this method also feels a bit repetitive - especially if you're not the inventive type. [Dec 2012, p.75]

Even for first-timers who aren't craving a nostalgia fix, this one's an easy recommendation. [Nov 2012, p.86]

When a series' 13th installment leaves us amazed with its highlight moments and has us playing all-nighters again, it's an easy pick-up-call. [Nov 2012, p.86]

The infectious beats of DJ Professor K washed all our frustrations away in no time. [Nov 2012, p.85]

This is the football game we've wanted since the PS3 era began. [Nov 2012, p.83]

Fresh, funky, and super fun. [Nov 2012, p.82]

It's particularly satisfying on Vita, where the back panel is used to move and adjust pieces, but Sound Shapes otherwise plays identically across platforms. [Nov 2012, p.84]

The action's effective and fluid, and the animation is at times as beautiful as the sport demands. [Nov 2012, p.81]

It's very good, as we now expect. This year's installment just isn't a revolutionary leap. [Nov 2012, p.81]

A seriously engrossing game that really, truly blends shooters and RPGs to brilliant effect. [Nov 2012, p.75]

There's more content and variety here than in any other entry in the series, and its stories - while a little too goofy to really take seriously - are nonetheless fascinating, particularly for those of us who've watched these characters grow and develop over the years...RE6 is a strange experience, to be sure - but more importantly, it's an unforgettable one. [Nov 2012, p.56]

Fan service doesn't get any better than this. [Oct 2012, p.84]

Does Rainbow Moon pack enough gameplay to pass 15 dollars worth of time? Absolutely, and then some. [Oct 2012, p.84]

But even with a limited breadth of content, Tony Hawk HD manages to dish out more nostalgic fun for $15 than our last few retail purchases combined. [Oct 2012, p.83]

Despite its brief tenure(less than four hours)and light mechanics, it's one of the most powerful and impactful games we've every played. [Oct 2012, p.82]

In other words, even when this punished, superior sequel is kicking our ass and crushing our soul, it still feels fair, fun, and rewarding as hell. [Oct 202, p.80]

After its tumultuous history, Sleeping Dogs needed to emerge from cancellation as something special, and it doesn't disappoint. [Oct 202, p.77

While it's marred by frequent visual pop-in and frustrating checkpoint placement, Spec Ops is nevertheless a pretty significant achievement. [Sept 2012, p.79]

Simply put: this game looks and sounds great, and after some gimmicky missteps with the last few franchise entries, we're pleasantly surprised to find this is the Spider-Man game we've been yearning for, not just another licensed tie-in. [Sept 2012, p.82]

So while it's no shock that LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes succeeds admirably as a platformer, we were surprised to find that it also manages to reinvigorate a series that has every reason to feel overly familiar and tiresome by now. [Sept 2012, p.83]

This is a charming and fun adventure that easily earns its place among PSN's elite--and we could all do with a bit more thinking(whether with portals or dimensions)every now and then. [Sept 2012, p.84]

Vita or PS3, just be sure to take advantage of one of the collections. [Sept 2012, p.85]

Still, EA Tiburon delivers a game that might finally challenge Madden for the gridiron crown. [Sept 2012, p.86]

There've been a few games that have made owning a Vita worthwhile, but Gravity Rush is the first to make it absolutely essential. [Aug 2012, p.78]

Final Fantasy Tactic addicts should almost feel right at home. Almost. [Aug 2012, p.81]

As a $15 stand-alone download, Showdown is an absolute steal. [Aug 2012, p.80]

Minor gripes aside, Sorcery offers up an absorbing adventure and fluid spell-casting controls, making it the most fun we've had behind the Move and a must-play for wizard wannabes of all ages. [Aug 2012, p.81]

While a departure for the franchise, Soldier delivers some of the most fun we've had in cloaked camouflage. [July 2012, p.84]

The first leg of what promises to be an emotionally jarring five-part journey delivers a very different and refreshing take on zombie apocalypse survival. [July 2012, p.83]

Even without the Vita-specific additions, however, this is an easy recommendation as the game retains everything that made the franchise reboot an accessible alternative. [July 2012, p.83]

While we were occasionally frustrated by trial-and-error tedium and forced micromanagement of multiple items, these annoyances were easily overshadowed by Closure's highly unique mechanics and presentation. [July 2012, p.78]

While Prototype 2's story has its faults, the game is nevertheless jam-packed with fun things to do. [July 2012, p.76]

We keep returning to Starhawk's RTS-flavored feature because it's truly what elevates the game above familiar third-person shooter fare. [July 2012, p.74]

A beautifully told, smartly paced, and relentlessly addictive shooter. [July 2012, p.70]

Consider a Skullgirls purchase as an investment to preserve the 2D fighting game genre. [June 2012, p.79]

This portable rookie has some flaws, but there's all-star potential come next season. [June 2012, p.78]

Disgaea's people know who they are, and they can rest assured that Absence of Detention is what they want. [June 2012, p.76]

If ever a game was more about the journey than the destination, it's Mass Effect 3. And what a journey it is. [May 2012, p.71]

Yoshinori Ono and the team at Capcom have done the impossible, crushing 3D fighters onto a 2D plane and making it feel coherent and surprisingly gratifying. [May 2012, p.74]

It may not be the flashiest Vita title, but Hustle Kings is a perfect fix for armchair billiards enthusiasts. [May 2012, p.77]

Much about 13 feels familiar, but considering the quality of this portable package, that's not a bad thing. [May 2012, p.77]

Ninja Gaiden 3 isn't just a great hack-'n'-slash action game, it's a great Ninja Gaiden game. [May 2012, p.78]

Yet for a mere $8, we highly recommend this all-you-can-eat buffet of awesome. [May 2012, p.81]

As a twin-stick shooter, it's inferior to the tighter, more ingenious Geometry Wars, but boosting clean through a massive iceberg is ace. [May 2012, p.81]

With so much content at our fingertips, we suspect we'll be making devils cry again for a very long time. [May 2012, p.80]

Really, though, The Show is all about the modes. Road to the Show in particular is much less of a grind now. [May 2012, p.84]

PGA Tour 13 is most certainly a complete golf sim package, but the additions merely refine rather than shine. [May 2012, p.84]

A game of precision and timing that demands a perfect port. Here, it gets one. Fighting fans will be pleased. [Apr 2012, p.61]

It's hard to fault VT4's easy-entry arcade feel and rewarding career mode. [Apr 2012, p.60]

Looks stunning, losing none of the visual splendor infused in its PS3 counterpart. [Apr 2012, p.59]

It's by-the-book Lumines, and it's amazing. [Apr 2012, p.59]

It's intuitive, and we loved the precision it allows on tight through passes. [Apr 2012, p.59]

Truly great games, it seems, never grow old. [Apr 2012, p.58]

Eccentric and bursting with charm. [Apr 2012, p.58]

Avoid the new controls and this is as addictive a racer as you'll find on a handheld. [Apr 2012, p.57]

Steering and handling is a tiny bit sluggish, but we'll take that over twitchy any day. [Apr 2012, p.56]

A very impressive achievement. [Apr 2012, p.54]

Manipulating the analog sticks will take some serious practice, but once mastered, skinning the last defender, faking out the keeper, then heading the ball into the goal is wonderfully satisfying. [Apr 2012, p.85]

While 2K12 plays a solid game and displays improvements over the past version, it doesn't add enough to achieve its lofty aspirations. [Apr 2012, p.85]

Optional challenge rooms aren't as engaging as the critical path, but their inclusion doesn't sully the sinister fun. [Apr 2012, p.81]

Hopefully sequels will enhance the career mode. [Apr 2012, p.80]

Journey's short length and limited replayability make it difficult to wholeheartedly recommend. It is, however, a tour de force of brilliant visuals and music, as well as a joy to play through and explore. It's absolutely worth experiencing at least once. [Apr 2012, p.78]

The sequel bests the original in just about every way while maintaining the same story-focus that helped the first game rise above the average shooter. [Apr 2012, p.76]

The sum effect of all of Metal's play options, depth and unrelenting challenge is a game brimming with replay value - a seemingly endangered species these days. [Apr 2012, p.72]

Change can be a scary thing, but the developer's gamble paid off: SCV is the most fun we've had with the series in years. [Mar 2012, p.78]

Still, Trine 2 is easily PSN's prettiest game and is definitely worth the price of admission. [Mar 2012, p.80]

Still, the experience as a whole suffers only slightly, and we're left with an endlessly engaging arcade title any gamer can enjoy. [Mar 2012, p.81]

Wacky additions like a zombie invasion mission add further punch to the reboot. [Mar 2012, p.85]

For 2D fighter fans, EXTEND is $40 well spent. [Mar 2012, p.85]

Reckoning may not set new RPG standards by any means, but it's an earnest attempt at encapsulating everything we love about the genre as a whole. [Mar 2012, p.82]

An impressive revamp of a lost classic. [Feb 2012, p.86]

Beneath the emotional tale and a superb cast of characters lies an abundance of shallow filler content with no real purpose It's disappointing to see a game with so much heart struggle under the burden of artificial mechanics. [Feb 2012, p.80]

Enjoyable enough that adult gamers won't mind playing along. [Jan 2012, p.87]

Graphics age and controls grow outdated, but genius never fades. [Jan 2012, p.85]

One of the most feature-rich games on the market. [Jan 2012, p.82]

A fright-filled ride worth sinking our fangs into. [Jan 2012, p.79]

As a complete package, Modern Warfare 3 takes the cake. [Jan 2012, p.67]

Despite its incredible competitive online play, we can't ignore the shortcomings of its campaign and Co-Op. [Jan 2012, p.66]

Skyrim is a gorgeous production that truly does justice to the words "roleplaying game." It doesn't just tell us a story, it gives us the chance to tell a story of our own. At its best, that's what an interactive art form should be all about. [Jan 2011, p.73]