Blowing stuff up is one of the cornerstones of this game, and it’s made especially more enjoyable by the advanced physics engine Volition uses. You’ve read about it in every single preview of the game to date, but in actual practice, the Geo-mod engine is quite impressive.

If you're looking for an intense shooter that will occasionally scare the living crap out of you, F.E.A.R. is exactly what the doctor ordered. Thanks to some excellent visuals and sound design, this is one game that will have you peeking around corners and stopping in your tracks every time your flashlight's battery dies.

In terms of presentation, technical gameplay, graphics, and audio, it's nearly impossible to rise above Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood in any area.

A great bang-for-buck ratio happening right here. An engaging, well-written story with gameplay that is just as accessible to casuals as it is challenging for the hardcore, Trine 2 will give you an experience that will leave you with a look of satisfaction on your face all the way through.

As challenges go, it’s brutal, so be prepared what you’re in for. Of course, what you’re in for is a brilliantly realized XBLA game, with scads of replayability, a hot look and a commitment to its arcade roots—if the MIDI-based soundtrack doesn’t pump your heart rate up to 120 BPM, then maybe you should double check that you’re even alive—that deserves our deepest respect.

For those looking for a variety of online modes, great graphics, and technically accurate five-on-five play, ESPN 2K5 is the only way to go.

If map modding, PC-worthy tech and the ability to make your own magic happen in a game (rather than waiting for the game to reveal its tricks) sound like you, then Far Cry 2 is the only way to hang-glide this holiday season.

I've been a die-hard "Winning Eleven" fan for some time now, but my allegiance to Konami's famed series has taken a hit. FIFA 07 Soccer is the best EA soccer game to date, coming very close to the refinement of the WE series, and even eclipsing it in many areas.

Call of Duty: World at War was a surprisingly satisfying experience all around. Developer Treyarch really showed that they could be trusted with the keys to Dad’s car, and made a game that could be compared favorably to anything Infinity Ward has done.

It’s multiplayer Bomberman at its finest. With Bomberman Live! you don’t have to get a Wii to play some good, local multiplayer.

Nothing Crysis 2 has to offer will revolutionize the genre but the customizability of the nanosuit and multiple ways to play the game make it a unique experience for every person who plays.

Short, short, short. The game can be completed in less than 10 hours and there is little reason to play through again even with the additional gameplay modes. There are a few tough levels, but overall Max Payne 2 isn’t too difficult.

The most interesting thing about Viva Pinata is the fact that it's actually better suited for adults than it is for children. Managing your resources (er, your pinatas) can be a lot of work, and I'm actually finding the game to be more challenging than many real-time strategy games.

A great pickup for anyone who enjoys the horror/survival genre but is finding the majority of the recent releases too repetitive. Tecmo offers fans a creative twist that they insist doesn't even belong in the genre all together.

’Splosion Man is not for the weak, or the uncalloused of thumb. But if you do have the druthers to give it a whirl, you’re going to find yourself playing one of the most addictive and challenging games to come out on XBLA so far. To put it simply, it’s a blast.

The gameplay in Top Spin 4 is almost unrivaled. The amount of customization, options and fluidity the control scheme gives really heat up the competition. If you've never played a tennis game before Top Spin 4 will change how you look at the sport.

During our review period the servers for online matchmaking crashed twice and locked out all players. The singleplayer also has its limitations in terms of storytelling but none of this detracts from the AAA multiplayer experience offered. For any other game these hiccups may have affected the overall score but even those who have only played BF3 for a few hours should be able to tell the game will have a bright future.

I absolutely loved this game. Everything about it just screams the word spectacular.

Gory, sometimes more so than some would like, yet unique and ultimately satisfying.

It’s nice to see those of us who own the best hardware benefit from titles that actually push its limits; this seems to be the antithesis to many developer’s strategies, but one that will keep me an Eidos fan for a long time.

This is <I>the<I> basketball game to own this season...Only a few hiccups here and there stop this game from being perfect. The level of realism in the animations is astounding, but you can still have a fast-paced and fun basketball game.

If you love anything with four wheels and an internal combustion engine, then you can't afford to miss out on ToCA Race Driver 3.

Some great gameplay innovations and the standard offering of online play are hampered only by a few AI missteps and some problematic animation sets. The 24/7 and Association modes join together to offer a solid amount of gameplay for fans of any brand of basketball.

Despite having a host of different attacks at your disposal, DMC4’s controls are surprisingly fluid and easy to pick up. The only major flaw comes from the game’s sometimes screwy camera, which can throw the player off his game.

You will be hard-pressed to find a more "complete" game than The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction... One of the best action/adventures of the year and a strong candidate for the best comic book videogame ever made.

The coolest offering is a Metallifacts overlay for all Metallica songs: When you play one, you get the in-game Metallica characters playing the song, but text comes up every few seconds to give you some trivia about the particular song, such as reminiscences from the band or inspirations for that tune or the lyrics. I’m not a big Metallica fan, but I was fascinated by some of what I read.

My immersion in the gameplay experience is a good part of why this review is going up a bit later than planned. I often had a tough time pulling myself away from the playing to write this up.

The graphics are some of the best seen on any console to date and the controls are just as dandy. Throw in the multiplayer, sim mode, and personal customizations available and THQ&#146;s Moto GP is a keeper for any racing fan out there.

Those that are hardcore and want a no-frills title with great execution of what really matters in rally, then jump in your recee and high-tail it down to your local gaming store.

This game has everything a racing fan could ever want. What it lacks in graphical delivery the audio department and sense of speed more then make up for.

There’s still some work to do in the presentation and gameplay mechanics departments, but NBA 2K9 should be considered yet another slam dunk for the Xbox’s hoop stalwarts, but one perhaps thrown down with less authority than in recent years.

The town has never looked better, sounded more frightening, or just plain scared the crap out of you like it does on the Xbox.

To sum it up, anybody who considers themselves a gamer should own a copy of Black Arrow; it's simply that good.

Worms 2: Armageddon is the complete XBLA answer to the franchise that fans have been waiting for. Worms 2 is also good enough for me to recommend it to new fans of the series; even more so than the free PC demos floating about in cyberspace.

Getting the music right was crucial, but so is the gameplay, and the developers really nailed it.

Simply fun. The exciting campaign and unique twist on first-person mechanics make it an exceptional addition for any shooter fan.

All of the immersion in the world can't stop players from being pulled away by the show stopping bugs. These issues should not detract from those interested in New Vegas from checking it out. New players and Fallout veterans alike will appreciate the long length and amount of lore present.

Combined with a highly cinematic presentation supported by exciting gameplay and an innovative storyline that breaks new ground in the world of X-men, Activision's X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse is a must-have for anyone who tried the original game out and definitely something comic fans will want to check out.

A source of great entertainment that is easy to pick up. Whether you're a dedicated Marvel fanatic or just someone who likes pinball, you shouldn't have too much trouble enjoying the game. For 800 Microsoft Points, or roughly $2.50 per table, it's not only cheap, but lots of fun.

Like Saints Row II, but bigger. The game concentrates on giving you fun, which helps mask some of the flaws. Saints Row: The Third may not have a huge improvement in terms of mechanics over its predecessors, but it is far more fun.

Skate 2 continues to raise the bar for skateboarding games, but it just wasn’t enough for draw the kinds of raves offered for the first game in the series.

Borderlands is one of the year’s most enjoyable games, and I highly recommend it—even to those who may not like shooters or RPGs, because there’s a lot to like from this interesting hybrid.

The story is fantastic and the way in which several characters interact and overlap in order to create a larger picture of what's happening is very well put together. The fact that players get to take part in each character's progression through the story is icing on the already great tasting cake.

Whether you are looking for some great single player combat, cooperative gameplay or a ton of detailed multiplayer modes, Ghost Recon 2 Summit Strike has something to offer everyone and it will only set you back thirty bucks to join in on the action.

Improves upon last year's hack-and-slash fest in every single aspect. The multiplayer action is incredibly fun, but it does take time to get adjusted to the camera angles. The camera isn't too much of a problem in the single-player game, but still provides a few quirks that will cause some frustration.

The immersive Kinect controls are worth keeping the game around, especially as demonstration for what the Kinect is capable of. Even playing Child of Eden for 10 minutes leaves you with a sense of happiness.

A little sluggish in the graphical department. While in no way is this game painful to look at there are just some minor things that kept it from being a visually stunning title.

Gives me that feeling when my favorite college team wins the game with a last second three-pointer, every single time I play it.

This is certainly one of the most innovative games on the Xbox and one that even non-military buffs should check out. I have a feeling this is just the start of an exceptional series.

The excellently crafted encounters, tons of extras and story are well worth the price of admission.

And even though it’s not exactly a major overhaul of the game, the improvements are great, the game looks great and it’s as fun as ever. Good job, EA.

Wildly addictive and simply unbelievable.

A much more innovative game than anything we have seen in a long time.

Battlefield 1943 is truly a blast. Its stripped-down nature (though definitely not a no-frills release) means its easy to get into, and the high potential player count should have the servers filled with players for quite some time.

This is a simple: if you're a hockey fan, then NHL 2K6 is a must. At $19.99 its depth cannot be matched and although it is far from perfect, there is plenty to enjoy for both the hardcore and casual hockey nut.

I was encaptured by this game right from the start and I haven't put it down since I received my copy.

The RPG elements and advanced combo system immerse players into the game - letting them make Death into their own unique killing machine. Improved NPC interactions and side quests make this larger world feel not so bland and desolate. Darksiders II outshines its predecessor in almost every aspect.

One of those deceptively simple concepts that’s nearly impossible to put down.

BG has the entire package: a great story, beautiful graphics, superb audio, all tied together with gameplay that will keep any action adventure gamer glued to their couch.

EA has proven that they still believe in the original Xbox, as Fight Night Round 3 is a solid, full-featured title that is worth the money.

Being able to actually tell someone what you&#146;d like to trade for is so much easier than typing on a virtual keyboard, that it isn&#146;t even comparable. That being said, the majority of PSO&#146;s other aspects are primarily the same as they were in previous versions.

A fantastic game that reminds us of why Halo was so great in the first place.

Brilliant physics, handling and damage engine are well utilized in this be-all,-end-all ode to four-wheel dirt racing.

If you can’t deal with the combat gameplay in the RE series (there’s a demo to save you potential naysayers a few bucks), then there’s a good chance that you won’t be buying what the boxed copy of Resident Evil 5 is selling. But if there’s even the slightest amount of indifference in your brain about the aiming and gunplay of RE, then RE5 is worth your time.

The extreme difficulty of Team Ninja games, combined with jaw-dropping visuals and technically sound gameplay programming is what makes them so special. DOAU is a masterpiece for the reasons aforementioned, but also due to the fact that they did something that only one other developer has done so far - put 3D fighting online on the Xbox.

All of this beauty doesn&#146;t come without a price, however. Because the levels and their separate areas are so detailed, the game must take the time to load up each segment.

Need for Speed: Shift is excellent in concept and flawless in execution. It’s nothing less that the next great racing simulator to grace the Xbox 360.

Far above average car handling physics combined with true rally-style online racing allows CMR 05 to dominate last year's game. It's a tough game to beat for thirty bones. Some may complain about the floaty physics.

Responsive, realistic and loads of fun to play. The variety of events and challenges will keep you busy for hours and the police pursuits give players more than enough reasons to check it out. Lack of more creative online modes chips away at a higher score.

The tables are near perfect re-creations of the Williams originals—not only in look and feel, but in how they play. I was stunned at the quality and entertainment value.

NCAA 10 is the most complete and competent football game ever to be loaded into a Microsoft console.

150 playable characters, an absolutely nuts map editor, eleven online multiplayer types, a Challenge and Arcade mode; the list goes on for this refreshing spin on the borderline ho-hum first-person shooter genre.

HHB does a fantastically thorough job with the gameplay options. Practically every aspect of the game is fully customizable from the human and CPU batting, pitching, fielding abilities to the running and throwing speeds of both the CPU and human players.

Hardcore racing game types and those generations enamored with the sport compact market will definitely need to add this one to their collection.

A great game with absolutely stunning visuals, intriguing gameplay, and a cool story, but it may not be everybody's cup of tea in terms of its new dank look or hard-edged feel.

But for every slight slip-up or apparent wrong in Crackdown, there’s a laundry list of perfection and general right that makes this title nearly impossible to put down - like some sort of digital crack.

While it’s easy to find other fighting games that do a portion of their action better than Undisputed, not many games are as technically solid across the board, while still delivering some type of feeling or visceral dynamic. Hmmm…sounds like a UFC contender to me: Strong in many disciplines, weak in few areas and filled with a burning desire to be the best.

The weight of the game increases quite a bit with the addition of The Lost Chapters so fans who were deterred from a purchase when the first game was released now should have all the reason they need to go pick up a copy.

Madden NFL 09 is a competent addition to this twenty year franchise, and perhaps the best that Tiburon has to offer for the Xbox 360. But one has to wonder why issues such as unnecessary clipping, framerate/loading issues and the lack of full Live functionality are still around three years into the 360’s console cycle.

While the style of game isn't anything we haven't seen before, the implementation of a free-roaming environment and the scale of the environment all comes together for a fantastic gameplay experience.

The core gameplay elements of this SKU are down-pat, which makes the extra features such as Superstar mode that much more enjoyable. I can overlook the lack of online leagues or dazzling graphics for a stout basic foundation, which this title certainly has.

Smart games should be championed, not feared, and the mental challenges contained within this game are only more impressive once you solve them. Upon completing them, I felt as if I had truly conquered something. Of course, I also felt like I could really go for a nice piece of warm pie. Preferably a la mode.

As much as it pains me to say it, THUG 2 should be the swan song for the Tony Hawk series. While THUG 2 is arguably the best Tony Hawk game to date, the new features this year feel forced and really don't add much to the proven formula.

Finishing Darksiders was one of those great reliefs quickly followed by a refreshed desire to play it again.

It’s nice to see a classic remade instead of simply repackaged, especially when a great deal of respect has been paid to the original game in the reconstruction.

Battlefield: Bad Company knows what it wants to do and does it. The gameplay is simple and easy to wrap your mind around, but opens up to a lot of different strategies. The explosions are visceral and fun, and the game looks great too.

This is a better overall game than the "Underground" series, with more depth on the pavement and in the garage. The presentation factor has also gone up tenfold, along with a serious improvement in graphical quality.

Does a great job of blending elements of action, stealth, and driving to create one of the greatest Bond game ever, just after the all-time classic, Goldeneye. Everything or Nothing starts players off with a kick in the ass and doesn&#146;t let up until the credits roll.

No, it won’t be for everyone, but for the player who wants to jump into something different or who already knows the Super Puzzle Fighter gameplay and wants to enjoy it on the Xbox 360, this is a wonderful addition.

And when everything settles, it's clear that Dust is a labor of love that stands out as one of the best downloadable releases of the year.

What EA has shown in NCAA Football 09 is steady progress and a sincere desire to put out a better product than it did a year earlier. NCAA Football 09 definitely passes that test with flying colors.

Better than the original in almost every way, which says a lot for LucasArts' and Pandemic's commitment to their legion of fans. Space battle and playable Jedi are reason enough to run out and buy Star Wars Battlefront II, but 32 player online matches don't hurt either.

The pinnacle of design for tower-defense games, and not just because of its fancy Gamebryo-powered 3D graphics. It’s challenging and complex without breaking the same simple rules that all tower-defense games follow, even the most unsophisticated ones. Taking a simple yet classic game design, then adding depth and polish to it, is probably the purest way to make a great game.

With a renewed focus on adventure and the inclusion of a less restrictive control scheme, Crystal Dynamics has managed to rekindle the fading flame of the Tomb Raider franchise. Although it is a bit on the short side, a multitude of extras and the tough Time Trial mode will extends the Croft experience.

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is definitely worth a look-see, but don’t expect much more excitement than the first time you plopped Lockdown into that fat, black console.

NBA 2K10 matches up well to Live when it comes to presentation and the standard expectations of features. But when it comes to basic on-court mechanics, NBA 2K10 wins this one in a laugher.

The Custom Baller options are extremely deep and the visuals are stunning in 720p. Even though this is primarily a one-on-one game, NBA Ballers shines when you have a crew.

The new pitching and hitting systems are magic in the making and will really test the baseball gaming market to see if anyone can counter what EA Canada has done with MVP 2003.