It features a revamped Manger Mode that will provide many hours of fun, and it is the only game to offer the FIFA leagues and teams.

Assassin’s Creed is by no means a bad game; it’s fallen to the fate of many other games by having too much hype surrounding it. If you’re expecting a ground breaking Game of the Year quality game, you won’t find it. If you’re expecting to play an average action game, then you’ll find yourself very pleased with your purchase.

Bound in Blood greatly exults over its predecessor and proves to be one of the finer single player experiences you’ll get to play through for your Xbox 360.

It packs itself chock-full of gaming ecstasy – and when you throw in some superlative production values and a restrained yet delightful soundtrack, you’re looking at a very well-formed package that should be in just about everyone’s collection.

There isn’t much to complain about in Far Cry 2. As I’ve already raved about before, the visuals are gorgeous, the use of fire is amazing and the gunplay is viscerally satisfying.

A genuine attempt to deliver something fresh and different. Controlling an army of minions was both fun and rewarding. The evil humor and richly detailed world keep me fastened to my chair for hours at a time totally immersed within the game.

If you have not played Viva Pinata, then it's most unlikely this release will do anything to change your mind to the contrary. If you expressed an interest but did not make the plunge the first time around, I would highly recommend this as your first foray due to all the excellent additional features included.

At the end of the day, Guitar Hero: Metallica is essentially what it sounds like: a Guitar Hero game for Metallica fans; by the fans, for the fans in the purest sense.

GRID's delicate straddling of the line between arcade and simulation racing is one that works well for it, appealing to fans of either simulation or arcade racers, once you get used to its handling quirks.

It has the graphics and soundtrack of a AAA title, but the gameplay just doesn't mesh with the rest of the game to form a game you will be coming back to again.

The sound is solid as well, with the only hiccups involving the commentating. The control scheme is excellent and the game will offer an acceptable amount of replay value.

A superb addition to anyone’s library. Its accessibility and user-friendliness will allow people of all skill types to have a blast. Even if this wasn’t your type of game in the past, Catan may just make you a believer.

The expository sections of Kong really do feel like a playable movie, and there are scenes in King Kong that will make you stop in your tracks and stare at the utter beauty the developers have crafted.

While The Darkness may not hit the mark on everything it tries for, it's not nearly enough to knock the experience off track. Even for an average 10-15 hour campaign, The Darkness hits a lot of nails, and only bends a few.

Plain and simple, The Godfather 2 is an action packed thrill ride. Even though it may not deliver on the strategy element’s pursuits, the action is constantly intense, and keeps you excited to play more up to until the credits begin to roll.

The gameplay is relatively simple, but is entertaining and challenging at the same time.

Jetpac Refuelled sports some of the best 2D graphics on XBLA. There’s something about Rare’s art style that really stands out. The colors, backdrops, and character design all blend perfectly together.

The presentation is superb on all fronts, and the gameplay is unique and intuitive. For ten bones, this is without question a must-have.

At the end of the day, Saints Row 2 manages to be a mostly satisfying sequel with a few key issues holding it from true greatness.

In short, if you’re a fan of the original Vegas or have more than just a passing interest, then by all means, check this one out; just don’t expect profound amounts of innovation.

The gameplay is still fun and the graphics have been drastically improved. The only problem is that we’ve seen almost the exact same game on the original Xbox.

The thought, “taking a sledgehammer to a zombie’s face would really take the edge off of my day right now, I wonder how much I can get Dead Rising for” will creep into your head and again and again. Eventually you will own it. It’s just that simple of an issue and that addictive of a gameplay.

If you're a fan of the Street Fighter series or 2D fighters in general, then this is a must-have.

Despite some minor issues in certain categories, there’s a decent story that helps push Army of Two’s extremely solid co-op features to be an entertaining experience; whether you have a wannabe mercenary friend to tag along or not.

Mega Man 9 is definitely a challenging game and designed for the hardcore gamer that remembers a simpler time consisting of two button controllers, cartridges and 8-bit graphics.

I’ll admit I was hooked for the first five hours, but as the game waned on, so did the entertainment of the game.

After some time spent on DDR Ultramix 2, I came to the conclusion that if I was a dance freak, I would keep playing this non-stop.

The solid gameplay combined with the bloodcurdling theme makes for a wonderful gaming experience.

The first season of Sam and Max is one of the funniest and most enjoyable experiences I've had playing games, and having it available on Xbox Live Arcade for just twenty bucks is an incredible steal.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles has the right concepts in place with plenty of realized potential, but much still untapped.

All in all, Silent Hill: Homecoming is a successful entry to the series. Even though it doesn’t do anything spectacularly new in terms of the franchise or the genre, it does do the old ways justice.

With addictive gameplay, varied achievements that despite a real lack of difficulty, help to keep the player engrossed in seeing more of the game, topped with unbeatable charm, Viva Piñata is definitely a fun title for people of all ages.

The story is weak but it's easily overlooked when playing a game that plays this great.

This is a great game to have for people who want to get friends interested in fighting games, and is a fun party game in its own right.

Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike doesn't just add some new modes, maps, and eye candy; it actually improves its gameplay formula, making it an all around better game than Ghost Recon 2.

I like the cheesy characters and the cartoon-like blood and gore thing. I can understand now why I wasn't allowed to play it as a teenager, but as an adult it sure is goofy fun.

UFC 2009 Undisputed has the flash, the look, the gameplay, but doesn't have the style and easy pick-up-and-play feel to make it that undisputed, unbeatable champion.

It adds something that should have been here from the beginning of its time on Xbox -- online play.

The title’s strongest aspect is the way it captures the World Cup event. Like most other World Cup titles, there isn’t a whole lot of replay value here, but the time you spend playing this title will be enjoyable.

This title is easily the best RTS game seen on consoles. The control scheme allows anyone to jump into the game fairly quickly, although you cannot get as detailed with your strategies and forces.

Simply it is still darned fun to play. Throw in some achievements, leadersboards and a nifty price tag of only five bones, and you’ve got hours upon hours of classic gaming to be had.

If you can get past the low production values, you'll find a very satisfying game here.

This title is incredibly fun in short bursts, but it’s hard to play for hours at a time.

The puzzles are challenging without becoming stressful.

Story line is nil. I found myself becoming “stuck” with the camera angles more than once. The last boss was too easy. But, with the amount of fun to be had, both solo and multi-player co-op and length of game, I cannot recommend this title enough. It is definitely worth the 800 Microsoft Points.

Panzer General hits it where it counts – in the gameplay department. If you can get past the weak visuals, you will find a surprisingly good game.

Pac-Man CE is a solid arcade title. It doesn’t revolutionize the game but it does add some new elements to keep it fresh. 800 points is a tad pricey for a game with slight variations on game modes, but at least you know what you’re getting into with Pac-Man.

All things told Condemned 2 is a good sequel that does manage to do the first game justice on most counts.

Unless you're a huge fan of on-rail space shooters, and also enjoy being a completionist then you'll be disappointed with the lack of content in Aces of the Galaxy.

It delivers excellent multiplayer, compelling mini-games, and a career mode that’s second to none. Flaws include a less-than-astonishing create-a-player mode, poor audio and lackluster environments. However, the good far outweighs the bad.

A slightly above average shooter with plenty in the way of multiplayer options and a forgettable single player campaign.

The amazing music helps sooth the pain when there's a frame-rate drop, but when you get stuck in an invisible wall there's nothing that can help the torment you'll be experiencing. In a nutshell, Advent Rising is under-polished, under-developed, and just doesn't play like a finished product.

The great idea used in telling the story, and the solid gameplay make the game a potential big hit, but certain elements of the game needed a lot more polish.

There is nothing remarkable about it, but Carbon will provide some good fun with its Career Mode and great online options.

Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 includes many elements that can make real time strategy games successful on consoles.

It has a decent overall game play, good audio, decent graphics, and a good feel for the Playboy lifestyle.

The problem is, World War II games are a dime a dozen these days and aside from the increased freedom and highly entertaining multiplayer modes, there isn’t much to make this stand out in the crowded first person shooter genre. It’s certainly a good game, just not as good as it could’ve been.

Need for Speed Shift sets out to try and accomplish a number of goals, with the primary two being to deliver an authentic racing experience and potentially revitalize the series. Although it doesn’t quite manage to fully accomplish either of these, this is still a valiant effort that, had it given some more development time, could’ve been a far superior package.

Those who have lost interest in the katamari series may feel disappointed as no advancements on the formula have been made since the inception of the series.

Still Life includes a gripping gruesome story, challenging gameplay, and to top things off, it's only twenty dollars. It may not have the longest single-player campaign, but it has a darn good one.

In closing, Fable 2 seems to be a light hearted, witty, casual role-playing game offering you more of an experience than an actual challenge.

You will love pumping round after round into your generic foes, and the visuals enhance the experience. While Black gets this aspect right, it just doesn't offer enough.

If you’re looking for a game with a solid single player or twitchy action shooting then you’re in the wrong place. Chromehounds is at its core a multiplayer experience with an emphasis on teamwork and tactics.

The new control feature and somewhat simplified gameplay is geared towards the mainstream console gamer that may not have played The Sims for PC. The console-exclusive additions, on the other hand, allow for a fresh gameplay experience for those who may have gotten bored with the PC version of the game.

A must-buy for both fans of plastic bricks and the “real” Star Wars movies. Combining a humorous take on the classic films with simple controls and tricky puzzles, this game is a standout in the seemingly never ending avalanche of repetitive Star Wars titles.

What’s heartbreaking is that it didn’t gain any knowledge when migrating from console to console. Sure, it has a new coat of fur, a full belly, and a smile on its face, but it’s the same bird you knew many moons ago.

The aim of the violence in this game is to produce wows and laughs from gamers.

The main problem with GUN is its lack of multiplayer. The campaign is a fun-filled occurrence, but after you finish it in a few hours you'll be wishing you didn't drop fifty down for it.

Despite a mediocre story and familiar gameplay aspects, Commanders: Attack of the Genos isn't afraid of showing a goofy side of an enjoyable experience. At eight hundred points, it's more than a welcome addition to the Xbox Live Arcade.

Even with all the quirks, Call of Duty 2 for the Xbox would have been a hit just a few years ago, but I just can't figure out who the market is today.

It’s without doubt a unique experience. My only true complaint is the ten dollar price tag, which may be a bit steep for the subtle amount of content provided with the purchase.

If you're short on cash and waiting for the big blockbuster games this Holiday Season, you may want to skip over this game. Stranglehold probably best serves as a rental unless you're really into action games.

If you’re in the market for a third person shooter that involves a little more than just shooting, this will make a worthy acquisition for your Xbox 360 library.

While the general gameplay is fun, the aiming system needs to offer a bit more manual control. Additionally, the AI should have received an upgrade this time around.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a decent movie-tie-in game, but that doesn’t make it the greatest game of all time. It’s certainly miles better than the other crap you can find on the market, but at the same time there are plenty of other better games you could also be playing.

There is nothing like this game currently offered in its genre and Small Arms’ online portion may be even offer more replay than "Dead or Alive 4."

All things considered, Mutant Storm Empire is a pretty good game. The unique, creative and colorful level designs and variety impress. The combat is intense and satisfying for an arcade shooter but it’s all over in a flash

You’re going to get a great deal of bang for your buck here, there’s no question about it. For a mere five dollars, you acquire a cult classic with online play and a flopping thirty achievements for your unlocking pleasure.

SSX: On Tour does a great job with the Tour Mode and Monster Tricks system, but it just comes down to not enough being offered.

I really wanted to love this game, I truly did, but it was just way too repetitive for me. Walking around slowly and eating brains is only fun for so long.

It’s odd that a game with so much new content could feel so familiar, but such is the case with Proving Ground. I think it’s time for Neversoft to go back to the drawing board and seriously attempt to innovate if they ever expect this Hawk to fly as high as it once did.

A must-rent because of its enjoyable campaign, but I’m afraid that’s all, due to its major deficiency in replay value.

It is fast-paced, in your face action non-stop. You'll never have a breather when you battle the onslaught of enemies before you. The translation from PC to Xbox is smooth enough to warrant playing the Xbox version over the PC rendition to avoid using a keyboard.

Whether you’re a young RPG lover who wants to see where it all began, or an elder who wants to relive their glory days, you need to immediately dish out five bones and give Gauntlet a whirl.

It's actually nothing of the sort; it comes off as a mix between Fable and God of War. It may seem weird to compare and combine games, but it's the best example to avoid confusion.

Poor dialogue may occasionally shatter this otherwise remarkable backdrop, but the rest of the story is more than adequate enough to convey a story of love, struggle, life, and death; at times in captivating ways.

While the game isn't ground breaking with any new technologies, the flexibility of the game play will keep you interested.

The basic summary of the Xbox 360’s Madden 06 is the Xbox version with amazing graphics and a ton of cut out features.

The arcade style shooting mixed in with the Hollywood blockbuster epicness delivers one of the more satisfying action games in recent years. If you’re a skeptic you should at least give Mercenaries 2 a shot.

It’s disappointing that this product didn’t achieve as much as it could’ve accomplished, but as a pure thrill-based action game, you could certainly do a lot worse.

A fun experience that should be loved by many.

A good romp, easily a step above the usual licensed junk that saturates the market around the holiday season. There just really isn't anything bad or good about Aeon Flux; it's a slightly above average game that doesn't really bring anything new to the table.

Hardcore fans of the Prince of Persia series might want to pick this one up if you’re curious as to how the series began, but don’t expect a stellar experience like Sands of Time.

Proves to fall a bit flat due to its lack of depth and its lack of improvement from the Xbox version. The visuals and physics have been enhanced, but those are the only areas where significant changes have been made.

Getting Up is incredibly easy. There are plenty of health power ups scattered throughout the game and I only died one time (due to a cheap move I didn't expect) during the final boss fight.

Although Carcassonne may not have the depth of strategy that you see in Catan, it still holds its own as a stable addition to the Live Arcade.

I can 100% guarantee that if the Doom name was not attached to this game, no one would pay this repetitive game any attention and it would hit the bargain bin like it deserves.

A pretty average game. You have fairly simple combat with a few nice graphical touches. Nothing really stands out as overtly good or bad, and everything here has pretty much been seen before in some form or fashion.