Dustforce is highly entertaining and absolutely unique. It has a few small drawbacks common to lower-budget efforts, but these hang-ups can’t cripple a decent, well-designed game.

It's a definite step up and that's undeniable. We can argue all day long about whether or not it's "worth it."

A micromanager’s dream come true. It’s the perfect representation of addictive, in-depth gaming with a simplified visage.

It’s quick, occasionally rewarding, and if you’ve got a few friends to play with, you can definitely have some fun. The control is fine and despite those technical imperfections, the game flows along relatively well. It’s just largely underwhelming and this free-to-play structure isn’t attractive.

For R&C fanatics, Into the Nexus is a return to its traditional, glorious form.

I remember when the game launched for the PS3, a lot of gamers begged for it to become available on the Vita. Well, here it is and while there aren’t any big surprises, it’s still that immensely fun strat/RPG you fell in love with last year. Ultimately, that’s what matters, right?

In an industry that has seen the drastic shifting and even outright dissolving of beloved gameplay styles, a game like this reminds us that some developers understand that in fact, the fans were fans for a reason.

It remains a mammoth achievement because fans can tell, within seconds, just how much TLC has been put into this production. Into every GT production, in truth. That’s what separates this franchise from any other and if you know cars and racing, you’ve been saying this for years. And I’ve got your back.

NBA Live is a colossal disappointment in more ways then one; the technical aspects are well below average, the physics and animations are some of the worst we’ve seen this year, the AI is mentally deficient, and worst of all, nothing about this feels real.

FIFA 14 is a rip-roaring success on the PlayStation 4. The older version is great, too; it’s just an understated greatness when compared to the upgraded version.

The visual and auditory effects are sweet, the challenge is appreciated (even if you occasionally want to throw the controller), the strategy is a nice twist, and the overall presentation is to be commended. Above all else, this is one of those games that can hook you and never, ever let go.

Tearaway is a triumph of the imagination. It’s a showcase for gifted minds that seek to entertain and even enlighten via quirky creativity.

It looks great, it plays great, and it’s one of those games that you can just pick up and play at a moment’s notice. That’s precisely what I ask for from this series, so I’d have to say I’m quite satisfied.

Contrast is aptly named. Its disappointing instability contrasts sharply with its wonderful ambiance and concept, and you’re left feeling somewhat unsatisfied.

The game is fun, and it’s even more fun when playing co-op. It has a boatload of charm. The fighting is fast-paced and occasionally rewarding. But where’s the rest of it? Where’s the robust skill set, the varied combat challenges, the compelling story and character development? We’ve come to expect this and we certainly expect it from a new era of gaming.

A good game, and it hints at a rosy future for shooters and video game in general. I remain disappointed at the surprisingly outdated drawbacks, such as audio balancing, silly AI and occasionally unconvincing acting, but the result is still agreeable.

An excellent side/future plot to Infinite, Burial At Sea is a must for all true Bioshock fans. I don't think it is as accomplished as Minerva's Den and both the story and gameplay feels highly compacted.

We have to realize that even the most successful packages reach a point where only minor tweaks and additions attempt to masquerade as innovation. That doesn’t work and hopefully, Activision will realize that CoD is on the downward slope and it’s once again time to reinvent. It must be done in the next generation.

It’s one of those games that draw you in with its unparalleled atmosphere and style.

Battlefield 4 is like a big, jovial belly laugh. It’s intense, flashy, amusing, and explosive, and it doesn’t bother about having a brain. It doesn’t need one, either, as the multiplayer is dense, involving and ultimately enjoyable from top to bottom. Still, I refuse to completely disregard the campaign, which, as entertaining as it often is, remains a disappointment for me.

Blackgate isn’t the top-tier AAA portable production I was hoping for. The map is borderline useless, the repetition and fetch quests get tiresome, the rewards for diligent exploration aren’t high, and that 2.5D perspective is definitely problematic in certain combat situations. Still, if you’re a big fan of the old-school side-scrolling style of game, and you’re a big Batman fan, you should give Blackgate a whirl.

Batman: Arkham Origins is a bit of a letdown for me. That’s mostly because the previous two titles from Rocksteady Studios weren’t merely great games, they were legitimate Game of the Year contenders. Although Origins has a lot going for it, most of that was expected and in truth, I anticipated much more. And this really feels more like a hybrid open-world/linear game, which is a little disconcerting.

It’s intricate, complex, rewarding, and always addictive. It keeps you coming back for more because you simply must power up just a little more. It’s the hook that makes it dangerous for me to play any Disgaea game, damnit.

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.

Puppeteer is loads of zany, beautifully crafted entertainment. It’s original and amazingly creative, and the ambiance and atmosphere is second-to-none.

The story loses us every now and then, the control isn’t always spot-on, and there were missed design and gameplay opportunities. But the result is what matters. What matters is that we feel as if we’re part of something attractively surreal, an interactive endeavor with intrigue and a bit of philosophy, a distinct style and ambiance that is simple yet memorable.

The AI is rough around the edges and the animations aren’t quite right but overall, this year’s NHL offering is worth a hardcore hockey fan’s time.

Grand Theft Auto V is a gargantuan accomplishment, with an emphasis on the word “gargantuan.” It may still have an assortment of inconsistencies, idiosyncrasies and eccentricities, but one could argue that such missteps still give this franchise a singular character.