If you're not really into RPGs, you won't be impressed. However, if you are like me (a role-playing veteran), and you've agreed with things I've said in the past about the genre this generation, get it. I can almost promise you won't regret it.

Burly Men at Sea will definitely charm you though. And although it can get repetitive if you try to get all the endings for the game, the stories are all well written and it’s exciting to see what happens next. Lots of color, fun music and sound, and witty writing bring this to a very well rounded game that is likely to please most people.

If you're looking for a good real-time strategy game, EndWar should fit your bill. It's got a fairly lengthy single-player campaign, despite having an absolutely hollow story, and it's also got a pretty epic online mode.

Grim Fandango Remastered is a masterful puzzle/adventure that will go down in history as one of the most unique and atmospheric video games.

The game is frustrating, the rubberband A.I. does suck, and there are some unusually poor design choices, but with a large city, good customization, good visuals, terrific audio, and solid online gameplay, Midnight Club is still worth taking a look at.

All in all, while I felt the ride was too short, I enjoyed every minute of it. Few games these days can offer a solid 6 hours of joy, even if they have quests that take 50 hours to complete.

989 Studios may have had to axe some graphical nuances and memory-intensive play modes (namely the mega-deep franchise mode) from the PS2 version of MLB 2006 in order to cram it onto the PSP, but everything else was brought across relatively intact.

A captivating, nicely put-together game with tons of content, a great online component, a streamlined battle mechanic that is faster and more fluid, and some interesting characters.

A serious franchise update. The game fails to impress on just about every level, and ironically enough, manages to stay fun and entertaining thanks to a fully realized online battle mode and the all-important vehicle alterations.

On the one hand, this game really shows how the Move can be extremely entertaining, even if it doesn't necessarily showcase its technological capability. There's also the lovely presentation and style, which I adore, and the variety, accessibility, and pacing that really turned out great. On the other hand, it's too short, the advanced spells don't always work, and adults may find it a tad underwhelming.

If you're one of those people that enjoys causing mayhem in "Grand Theft Auto" more than playing the missions, or you like swinging around New York for hours in "Spider-Man 2," then you'll love The Hulk: Ultimate Destruction.

A special game that is both unique and stylish. The developers (those capitals stand for Right Square Bracket Left Square Bracket Games) do a great job of blending slick music with a surprisingly accessible (albeit sometimes out of control) gameplay mechanic.

Co-op is undeniably fun, though. I enthusiastically recommend the game provided one takes the following caveat into account: it's gonna piss you off. You might bust a controller. If you're good with that, and you still want to partake of the aforementioned pluses, be my guest.

The control is a little off and I get this feeling the whole thing would be better on PC but either way, Telltale, Christopher Lloyd, Bob Gale (writer), and the rest of the crew haven't disappointed their fans.

Ultimately, the main reason to pick up this 2-pack is its "bang for the buck." Two excellent fighting games for $30 is a bargain.

The acting is top-notch, the writing is good, the design and implementation of the life sequences is excellent, and the mechanics are functional and ask you to remain vigilant and timely. It’s just that it doesn’t feel as cohesively polished as one would hope, and there are limitations to the QTE concept, even when it’s expanded upon.

Game of Thrones: Episode One – Iron From Ice is another great narrative effort by a rising development team. It’s full of drama and well-choreographed action scenes, each of which push the plot forward at a brisk pace.

Corpse Party (2021) is a thoroughly engaging piece of survival horror. The cast of characters is likable enough, the atmosphere feels palpable, and it is morbidly fun to unlock all of the bad endings. And considering the new extra chapters and binaural audio, this is the definitive version to play.

In the end, Oure won me over as an indie title with a lot of heart, and absolutely has me begging to know what other secrets I missed as I soared through the clouds.

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is fun. Perhaps that’s the simplest and best way to describe it. No, the story isn’t as enticing as I would’ve liked, the Cryo freeze feature doesn’t really enhance the experience, and the zero-grav idea has its drawbacks. But when all is said and done, this is Borderlands.

It has some pretty obscure problems, like incorrect specifications for cars and no control configuration, and only one fifth of the soundtrack is worth listening to. But the rest of it is a pretty enjoyable experience from start to finish, as long as you don’t expect an immense amount of depth.

Creative Assembly's first console effort is a satisfying, action-filled hack-and-slash.

Overall, MediEvil caters more towards the die-hard fans of the franchise by delivering a near-identical experience with incredibly updated audio-visual presentation, but I firmly believe it will serve as a great introduction for new players as well. I’m sincerely hopeful that this remaster is successful, because I want to see more of Gallowmere in the future, not less.

So ridiculously fast paced and explosive, and so loaded down with features, that it’s hard to punish it for what are primarily just minor gripes.

Almost entirely satisfying from top to bottom, as the control is still wonderfully solid, the speed is still off the wall, and you still get that ol' familiar feeling of "domination" upon performing an ultra-sweet Takedown.

FIFA 06 is a very good game, but since it follows its predecessor by a little over six months it’s not a huge leap forward.

It's fantastic fun for two players (great for the whole family, too), those 36 chapters provide a huge amount of gameplay time, the levels are diverse, it can be very funny, and the entire production will make you grin. It's hardly a supremely polished blockbuster, but it's worth playing, especially for Star Wars fans.

Sports Champions is a solid piece of entertainment that gives us a glimpse of what is to come. You really do have to "move" and many of the available events highlight Move's super advanced reliability, precision, and responsiveness.

All in all, for a mere $30, whether on your PSP or PS2, The King of Fighters Collection: The Orochi Saga is a fantastic deal for a series of fantastic games.

A decent assembly of last-generation classics, even if Capcom didn't do quite enough with the package.

As far as RPGs go, this is a solid one and probably worth your time and money.

EASHL is fulfilling and even addictive, shootouts are an absolute blast, the On-Ice Trainer is an excellent addition for newcomers, and the gameplay is smooth in some places, and rugged and powerful where it needs to be (feel that hit?). It just needs some sprucing up in regards to basic control; i.e., passing and general movement, and the off-ice interface could be a lot better.

Fans of "Metal Gear Solid" and "Resident Evil 4" should enjoy the game quite a bit, as should fans of the action genre, altogether.

Thanks to Koei making some key enhancements, the controls have now been fixed up considerably, erasing much of the game's previous faults.

Whether or not Tropico 6 is for you really depends on your affinity for the genre, and Tropico in particular. If you’re a fan of previous games in the series, you’re apt to like this one, mostly because it’s less an evolution and more a simple refinement. That said, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and Tropico hasn’t needed much fixing for a while. This is definitely a case where more of the same is more than welcome.

LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 is yet another competent and fulfilling entry in the Telltale's successful LEGO series. It feels a little too similar to Years 1-4 and the control and camera can still be problematic, but the rest will be quite appealing to fans of J.K. Rowling's blockbuster franchise.

The portable go-anywhere nature of the PSP game makes it easy to tolerate that version's rough spots. If you like boxing, either version should make you very happy.

I think a lack of any sense of progression and a highly restrictive structure that basically says, “if you’re not ardently passionate, get out,” is a detriment. I don’t think a simulator needs to be quite so…aloof...But if you’re in that hardcore driving fan category, it’s a no-brainer.

It isn't as diverse as "Grand Theft Auto," but you should be able to squeeze an ample degree of catharsis out of mugging people, laying down graffiti, breaking into stores, and pummeling rival gang members. I highly recommend that you watch the movie first, though.

The best in the entire series. Still, some aspects are scuffed up enough that it is quite as legendary as it could be and I'm not yet convinced that Lara is a truly compelling character.

In the end, however, Dark Souls III is indeed a proper homage to an excellent franchise.

Project Cars 2 is ambitious in a way that many attempts to revitalize the racing sim genre are not, and that leaves me excited about its future possibilities as a franchise.

Beginners will likely find themselves overwhelmed with the game’s complicated steps and unforgiving mechanics, even on the easiest settings. Dancing game veterans, on the other hand will relish the challenge and find the huge list of songs refreshing.

EA has released an innovative product that both fans of skateboarding games and actual skateboarders will enjoy quite a bit. But I can't really recommend the PlayStation 3 version as an all-out purchase, largely thanks to its framerate issues.

This offers plenty of bang for your buck, the racing flaws aren't critical, the appreciated variety and diversity adds that patented LBP flair, and playing with friends never gets boring. It should make for a worthy addition to any holiday wish list.

Gravity Rush Remastered is about what you'd expect. The slicker visuals and boosted frame rate lead to an even cleaner and more satisfying experience, though its portable roots are glaringly obvious the more you play.

Quotation forthcoming.

The pacing takes a hit because I think the developers went a little overboard in terms of character depth, the camera can be problematic, and a few too many of the abilities seem pointless, but in the end, DSIII is a dungeon-crawling winner.

A solid, well-presented game that features a lot of creativity, great sound, and an action/racing style that really can't be found anywhere else.

If you're looking for a fun game to pick up and play for a few minutes at a time, or if you've heard about the fun of Metroid Prime Pinball (review) but own a PSP instead of a Nintendo DS, you can't go wrong with Pinball Hall of Fame: The Gottlieb Collection.

Fury Unleashed is one of the best indie games of 2020, and one of the most excellent examples of the roguelite genre this generation. While it may be on the short side, this action co-op title should satisfy fans of Metal Slug and then some. Cool comic-inspired visuals, an inspiring story, and compelling moment-to-moment gameplay make this a stellar shooter.

My frustrations with the franchise and its never ending framerate troubles are getting on my last nerves...[yet at] the end of the day, and I still enjoyed Need for Speed: Undercover, as will fans of Most Wanted.

A fun game to play, but it does have a lot of flaws that will keep you from enjoying it like you did with NBA Street. The single player mode is frustrating and time consuming, but it’s a necessary evil if you want to beef up your team to play online or against friends.

The great design and high level of creativity is to be commended and appreciated, the game provides an effectively immersive environment, and Harry Potter followers should really love the style and the chance to become a virtual wizard. The end feels anticlimactic, there's no multiplayer option, and there are a few small technical bugaboos but other than that, this is a really solid step in the right direction.

The load times are dramatically better, and the controls are less frustrating, but it doesn’t offer anything more from a gameplay standpoint.

A definite upgrade, plain and simple. It may not be quite enough to summon new fans this late in the day, but that Story Mode and extra modes/content is always intriguing, regardless of whether or not you’re familiar with the franchise.

There's something innately wonderful about a game that lets you take a dirt bike onto a track and perform stunts, while simultaneously trying to win a race against an ATV, a monster truck, and a golf cart.

NBA Live 08 delivers arguably the most convincing looking and playing game of hoops. It may not be super rich in its mechanics, but that doesn't change the fact that the game just plays well and is the most fluid basketball game to control.

The technical elements won’t blow you away, the combat can feel tedious, and the story isn’t exactly deep, but the entertainment value remains high throughout. Playing with multiple characters bolsters the game’s variety, the comedy relief is always appreciated, the levels are extremely well designed, and the general feel of the game is just plain warm. It’s goodhearted, lighthearted, warmhearted.

It's going to slip under the radar for most people, but it is worth the effort. It's a lot of fun to play due to the battle system and dungeon mechanics and even though it wanders too far into the realm of role-playing stereotypes at times, the plot and characters are reasonably enjoyable.

It’s well worth playing for stealth aficionados, and the PS2 version might be the lesser version, but it’s still quite acceptable.

Worms 4 is a big improvement from its 3D predecessors and the game has taken a step in the right direction.

Given the ever advancing state of online titles, what with the updates and patches, it’s not a good plan to give a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” based on the first week of performance. Wait a bit, and then we’ll see… And we did.

It's unlike anything else you've played in recent memory.

Visually it does the job, albeit with a few minor quips here and there - but it does have a good frame rate to be thankful for, and that's imperative.

Whether or not NBA 2K20 is the game for you really depends on a few things. If you can get past the obnoxious microtransactions, a story mode that’s a bit too bloated, and some frustrating grind in other modes, there’s a lot to like here. More importantly, where it matters most (gameplay), 2K20 really shines, with the potential to thrill in ways few other sports games can. When you’re lost in the heat of the action, yelling at your TV in the final seconds of a nail-biting finish, it’s hard to really care about all the speed bumps on the way to that moment.

If you take the time to unlock everyone, and you have the time and ability to go online, then you’ll have a great time. However, if you are just interested in playing some quick games with good players, you can’t, because they’re all locked.

Doesn't stray from a winning formula, offers the portable world dual analog sticks (which cements the experience), and brings in a new touch-based mechanic that actually affects the gameplay in a positive way. There isn't quite enough content, the camera does seem to be a bigger problem than in past entries, and I miss a few of the more unique modes found in other titles, but there's no denying it: this is Katamari and the fans should really enjoy it.

A solid RPG with a compelling, fun battle system, a mostly traditional setup, a few appealing characters, and a story that gets better with time. It's dragged down by some pacing issues, occasionally mediocre voice acting, and a slow start, but that shouldn't deter the hardcore fans.

With great characters, good writing, and a fun story, Detective Gallo does well. It’s only marred by a few shortcomings such as a short run-time, illogical puzzles, and lots of backtracking.

FragPunk is a fantastic addition to the hero-shooter genre. Its gunplay is snappy and fun, and the shard card system is an absolute delight to play with. It feels like a shooter built around the core idea of fun and, as a result, brings players a great online shooter that’s easy to pick up but incredibly hard to put down. The constant bombardment of new and exciting cards and tense firefights helps make FragPunk a contender for the throne instead of a throwaway imitation.

A fun, fulfilling and yes, even addictive game.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep is a game that sticks to its roots and expands upon a winning formula. It still can't quite put long-standing problems to rest (or sleep, whatever) but it presents fans with a cohesive, satisfying adventure and in truth, there are three of them.

This one looks a little better, the commentary is definitely better, the online and multiplayer (in my experience) was a bit more fun, the movement physics are more authentic, and the many features and options are on par with Live. But the occasionally iffy control, very questionable AI, and significant balance issues makes me give the nod to EA.

The bottom line is that Commando 3 is worth the $10. It may not be extremely epic or infinitely replayable, but it's certainly fun enough that you'll likely keep coming back to time and time again.

It's a darn good package and one the die-hard fans will undoubtedly have to own. As for those who remain a little iffy, just bear in mind that aforementioned longevity and bang for your buck, as well as the prospect of traversing much prettier environments with a much prettier Lara.

The most important thing to consider here is that NBA 08 is a really good basketball game for the PSP. It may feel a bit simplistic, but it still plays well.

The fun factor absolutely cannot be denied, as the Dogfight Mode will bring you hours of white-knuckle, ultimately rewarding entertainment. The control is tight and accessible to all, the variety of two distinct flight types adds plenty of flavor, and the challenge is just about right.

I feel that fans of the original two Tony Hawk titles and the SSX series will probably enjoy Downhill Jam quite a bit. It takes the series to a territory that it should’ve been at quite some time ago.

The biggest problem most players will likely run into is the risk of the combat, fun and frenetic as it is, becoming too repetitive.

You can spend plenty of time doing a variety of things, and Avalanche does a good job of capturing the colorful hilarity of the film series. It feels like "Toy Story" and that's really all we require.

Strider successfully reinvents a classic. With its tight, super-fluid control, engaging and dynamic 2.5D presentation, and excellent balancing throughout, the game is destined to hook you from the outset.

Guardians of Middle Earth is a solid MOBA and one well worth your time and effort, especially if you've enjoyed similar titles. It doesn't sacrifice or change much in comparison to other MOBA experiences, and at no point do you feel like you're playing something that's watered down.

Whether or not you enjoy Wolfenstein: Youngblood is going to depend on a lot of factors. If you loved the previous games for their narrative depth, linear story, and simplified gameplay, this might be a tough sell for you. Youngblood is still fundamentally Wolfenstein in almost every way that matters but, like its rookie heroines, it’s a little unpolished and rough around the edges. If you’re looking for something new, innovative, and daring, and can overlook a few flaws (some more glaring than others) then it’s time to suit up, gear up, and once again prove that the only good Nazi is a dead one.

To put it briefly- for college basketball fans, there's really no better option, even though it's hardly the best basketball game in history.

While the actual races aren't that interesting, the cop chases are fantastic.

While the puzzling itself racks your brain adequately, if frustratingly, the real pull of Bonfire Peaks is its ability to make you feel personal nostalgia through mementos—the memories that shaped you, both happy and sad. Topping it off with pleasant voxel pixel art and a rousing soundtrack, the game offers a distinctly unique experience.

A great throwback; a retro game that isn't entirely retro, an old-school experience that reminds us of times long gone. It's self-deprecating and totally loony, it's vibrant and rewarding, and although a bit on the short side, you'll want to play it again…and again (ideally with a buddy).

Good for what it is... a simple, arcade style racer that retains the core concepts of the original OutRun arcade game while incorporating many necessary gameplay and audio-visual enhancements.

There’s no doubt that Ys X: Proud Nordics is a great action RPG. Featuring a stellar story and fun combat, the action never gets dull. The new story content and gameplay additions are great, although veteran fans will have to decide if they want to replay the game this soon again. However, whether they dive right in or wait a while, the good news is that Proud Nordics will be delivering a fantastic experience once they pick it up, as it’s the definitive version of Nihon Falcom’s latest RPG.

Better than last year’s production; it features better cosmetic and aesthetic features, it often feels more streamlined and accessible, and the upgrades on the defensive side of the ball are huge. It’s finally fun to play on defense! Sadly, the game still gets bogged down by a balancing issue, as the defense is simply overpowered.

The A.I. can be absolutely unfair, the sound is lackluster, and the car detail could've been much cleaner. But, the multiplayer is great fun, as is the gameplay, and there's a decent amount of variety as far as cars and tracks.

A nice old-school survival horror game that does an excellent job at building tension and atmosphere.

As someone that's pretty much bored to tears with the FPS genre, I personally found Urban Chaos to be a breath of fresh air.

The Jackbox Party Pack 8 is a blast of a bundle. Rather than innovating the formula, this pack bursts with social entertainment that refine the foundations of earlier titles, forming the most consistent pack of games yet.

Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! is a solid, capable, entertaining, and super challenging action/platformer, and one that would fit nicely in a PSP collection.

Crysis 3 is a worthy sequel that is highly entertaining on a number of different levels.

You can fault this game for a number of things, as I’ve done here, but you can’t criticize because you haven’t the inclination to appreciate the product for what it is.