Though the game has some interesting features—including educational facts that relate to Chopin—the alternating running and combat gets tiresome.

It offers a unique and entertaining feature (terrain deformation), but doesn’t utilize it in enough creative ways to keep it enjoyable. It’s run-and-gun gameplay with too much run and not enough gun. It’s a title that relies too much on brute force in its opposition, when it could have tested to see if the player could come up with creative solutions when completing objectives and having adversaries cross their paths.

But grabbed by the scruff of the neck, Blitz: The League II has the tools to deliver an extreme experience that’s pretty much off the charts when compared to what else is out there. In other words, if the basics of football spliced with the raucousness of studio wrestling matches your personality type, then you can’t go wrong with Blitz: The League II.

Crash "N' Burn will frustrate the hell out of you since it demands so much more from its competitors than nearly every other arcade-type extreme racer.

If you have a love for the Koei/Omega Force titles, you would be a fool not to check out Samurai Warriors, which trumps "Dynasty Warriors" in just about every area.

A massive upgrade over the previous movie-based game in the series. So much so that it’s unfair to really even compare them. Despite some feelings of repetitiveness and a lack of polish in a lot of places, I feel like it’s my duty to commend Luxoflux for what it’s done: make a pretty good game that treats the license with the respect it deserves.

A good buy for any sports fan, especially because of the excitement, but be warned that you will probably be tired of it before you could say “USA soccer is about to become a power.”

Fans of the franchise will enjoy the Car of Tomorrow action and the telemetry, but should proceed under the caution flag with the glut of training that is forced on the user.

The graphics continue to sizzle with eye-catching particle effects, excellent crowds and decent player models.

While the game world is a beautiful testament to a bygone era, the full experience just needs...more. You're all but guaranteed to enjoy many parts of this game, but the full experience just isn't there.

While Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWIIisn’t a flying revolution, it is a flying game on a system which is short on them, and one which should appeal to a larger demographic due to the historical license that Ubisoft exercised in its creation.

It's tough to recommend GUN at its full sticker price for what it is, and that is an excellently told, eight-hour story wrapped up in the guise of an action videogame masquerading as a Western.

Updated, upgraded, and pushed into the new generation. With a large amount of tracks, addictive and absorbing gameplay this is the perfect game for fans of Rally...period. Just don't expect your Xbox to break a sweat.

Anyone with even a bit of interest in RTS games but who thought they were always too complicated should take a serious look at one of the few decent console based strategy games currently available.

To Ubisoft’s credit, they did as much as they really could have with the original content, and should be merited for the game’s feature set; especially the online four player co-op.

Something this title achieves that other "sandbox" style games tend to put on the backburner is a great story, which actually had us caring about characters and seeing their plights played out on screen.

Even with some of the gameplay issues that, if avoided, could have helped to make a better overall game, FIFA Street 3 is still a fun pick-up-and-play experience for the raving soccer fan.

It’s not an elaborate game, but it does grow on you as you try to progress further through the levels.

Those who grew up playing these games and have forgotten how bad they look will be reminded, but will still enjoy the simplicity of the gameplay, coupled with a severe hand-eye coordination workout.

Fans of DBZ and lovers of other Dimps-branded Dragon Ball titles, as mentioned earlier, will want to rush out and pick Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit up. Hardcore fighting gamers will also enjoy the ranged stick-and-move nature of this unique fighter.

A sluggish and repetitive combat system and overly simplistic RPG elements leave The Bard's Tale wondering exactly what type of game it is. It does have plenty of hilarious moments, but ironically many of the aspects that the game pokes fun at in relation to other RPGs, it suffers from as well.

Overall the same game that we’ve enjoyed for the past four years. New features like Crease Control, ProControl, and On-The-Fly Coaching are welcome additions, but this isn’t really a "next-gen" game.

Like a blockbuster action movie, there are definitely moments when Stranglehold drags (the second level was tedious), but there’s no doubt that your heart will be pumping by the time you make your way through the later levels.

There’s much worse out there, and even though Scrap Metal may not rise too far above the heap, but it’s definitely up there, on pure fun alone.

Had the visuals been taken up a notch, and if B.J. would have been a bit more of a bystander in the Veil portions, Wolfenstein could have been one of the elites. But as it sits, Wolfenstein is a solid shooter that fans of its predecessors will enjoy.

The disappointment from playing Force Unleashed comes from some really high expectations, ones that the game sets up itself in the early going. The storyline is so good, the graphics simply amazing, the whole thing just so classic Star Wars that it almost hurts when I think about how much the game pissed me off.

Death by Cube is such a simple game, yet so much fun and so satisfying once you dig in to the upgrade systems.

With just a bit better speed sense and a few additional games modes, Yager could be a top notch affair.

Being that March Madness 06 is essentially an identical game as last year's it's hard to give this one props for advancing the series. The lockdown stick does improve on defensive mechanics but winning half of a battle won't win many wars.

It’s almost the lack of innovation that makes this fun, as it’s a throwback to the original TR game of 1996. It just doesn’t take a lot of chances either.

For those who don’t care about the game’s look, but simply want to play with a remote friend or not have to bother with the rules/dealing minutia, Duels of the Planeswalkers will probably be a great buy.

If you're looking for a very good co-op game, or a well developed single player campaign with few issues, then Rogue Trooper would be a perfect choice.

Full House Poker is easy to learn, easy to get into, but challenging and increasingly rewarding so I'm pretty sure you'll be seeing me hitting the tables once the game releases on March 16th.

Yes, Droplitz is an easy game that’s not all that easy.

This is certainly a caveat emptor type of purchase, with a run at the trial version being is smart move.

Its arcadey action, solid visuals and addictive co-op play make it one hell of a slaughter fest for just 800 Microsoft Points (or about $10).

KoFUM is still worthy of a solid score, due to the fact that it’s still one of the better pure fighters ever made, but it will be hard for casual brawler fans to realize its allure.

It’s certainly not so bad that it’ll ruin the series name for future releases and it does provide a fair amount of gameplay potential despite its flaws and glitches, but it will surely upset some of its player base who expected that the title would be a vast improvement—a next-generation title that pushed their system to new heights of performance.

The game’s basic concept, and IO’s commitment to give gamers a multiple paths to an ending while still pushing for “transparency” should be applauded. But a two year 47 hiatus and no real signs of an inventory system or A.I. improvement hurts like a 7.62mm round to the spleen.

Fast, fun, and graphically pleasing. It's an awesome party game, and it's shortcomings in story, character choice, voice work, [and] single-player mode can't change that.

Fast paced action, with a fast-paced storyline that ends much too soon. The game feels like an unbalanced mix of realistic combat and shooting gallery mechanics.

There are only a few fighters that are more lighthearted and pick-up-and-play-enjoyable than Battle Fantasia, but such whimsy and simplicity come at a premium price in the land of fighting games.

You can’t ignore that R-Type Dimensions offers another taste of classic gaming, with some enhancements to make it more attractive and contemporary, and that’s playable from the comfort of the living-room couch.

It really gives the sensation of an adrenaline rush as you play this game.

With a more detailed multiplayer mode and maybe a bit more in the way of choices that may effect the game’s outcome, Dark Summit could be a leader in a new series of sports/adventure titles to come.

It is a series I’d like to see continue, because it is fun as a party game and for Xbox 360 owners looking for some variety from the ongoing flood of sports games, action titles and shooters. I just think it needs to go through some serious improvements.

There are a few overly frustrating missions that will drive you absolutely nuts too. I found myself saying, "wow this is the sweetest game," during one mission and then, "jeeze, is this annoying," in another.

While the fact that the game can be completed in 7-10 hours may turn off some tastes, it is still an enjoyable 7-10 hours.

Definitely worth checking out for the humor aspects and watching Spank abuse Redmond to no end.

While the game might not sport earth shattering graphics or a detailed storyline, the fun factor of this game will slowly grab you and you will become more addicted the more time you spend playing it.

Retro fans will easily drop $20 to secure themselves a piece of gaming history while more casual fans will most likely better served giving Taito Legends a rental, but either way, it's money well spent.

The game will definitely have you busting a gut laughing and is even better when shared with friends. The single player mode, graphics, and especially audio are really polished but the game still feels like it could have used a little more "umph".

It is true that there are some gameplay redundancies and a healthy amount of character interaction issues, but will a kid point to mommy and say “look at all of the clipping issues!”, or “look at all of the horseys!”?

Codies also knows how to write code for Live, making the twelve car action run as smoothly as a baby’s bottom. Graphics are pretty weak, and so are any chances for replayability, since everything is left hand turns.

There are plenty of methods in which to wreak havoc and weapons like the Land Shark Gun are fun as hell, but no matter how you dress things up, Armed & Dangerous is simply an above average third-person shooter.

The racing system is good enough that you can forget all about the tricks and still have a great time. The controls for pulling off tricks are simple and easy, but yet allow for the extreme in all of us to enjoy this game.

While the Bruce Banner missions are mind-numbing and the camera could use some extra tweaking, the Hulk still manages to play very smoothly and delivers an aura of excitement that can only be felt otherwise by going to see the actual movie.

Sure there are some inconsistencies in the gameplay, but I was able to enjoy the game anyways because of its style and accurate reflection of the original film.

The linear gameplay, camera system and shortness of the game make this not a title for everyone, but it still warrants a glance just to witness the goodness that is Rare.

There are some nice additions that increase the competitive side, which is good, but it doesn’t seem like a separate $60 bundle as much as it should have been a $30 or $40 expansion pack.

No frills racing action that isn’t quite as enjoyable for those that like the console bells and whistles.

Playing the original ROM of Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe is great, but we were hoping that the Xbox Live Arcade graphically enhanced gameplay would be a bit better.

Close to the same game as OutRun 2, although the name is different.

The game's basic concept, and IO's commitment to give gamers a multiple paths to an ending while still pushing for "transparency" should be applauded. But a two year 47 hiatus and no real signs of an inventory system or A.I. improvement hurts like a 7.62mm round to the spleen.

If multiplayer coin-op games that can be played over Xbox Live sounds appealing, then Gauntlet is surely worth the few bucks it costs to download it. I’m warning you know though: Gauntlet isn’t really about skill - it’s more about having enough credits to finish the entire game.

Pick up Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 if you are a huge fan of the series or need a fresh football fix. Everyone else would be better off snatching up a used copy of "FIFA 09" from the preowned rack.

Boss battles are fun, but the overall experience doesn't bring anything new to the genre of gaming.

As an avid poker player, it was fun to see a twist on the game offered on XBLA. And while Texas Cheat ’Em isn’t going to be a blockbuster hit because of its niche-like following and gameplay redundancy, it’s a fun contest for those who are familiar with poker or would like to mess around with a poker variant that has a devious side.

We don't yet think Eidos has ironed out all the wrinkles, but we definitely think they are taking the series in the right direction, as Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood is a straight-up, screw the WWE brawler that gamers with a few screws loose will enjoy.

These types of games do become repetitive and this certainly applies here as well, but thanks to a strong story written by NY Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore, Demon Stone has a lot more going for it than most titles in the genre.

Although the lackluster land gameplay drags the experience down a bit, the sailing parts of the game are just so exciting and enthralling that you can totally forget about the less riveting parts of the game. I do prefer Bethesda's other published RPG, "Morrowind," because there is simply more to do.

Without a doubt the best of the Ridge Racer series, and its name suits it well as it has evolved to modern gaming.

Reflex isn’t quite where it should be, but it’s getting better. Here’s hoping that the next one is a more polished, cherry ride, because fans deserve that—and the franchise will certainly garner a much bigger user base if that can be accomplished.

I wish that Mirror’s Edge was more like a rock-climbing course (or like the climbing mechanic in "Assassin’s Creed") that gives you numerous ways to reach the spot you need to reach, though with the occasional stumper that gets you scratching your head to find the solution. Instead, I found myself frustrated by the do-it-again-until-you-get-it-right gameplay, which was more tedious than challenging—much like the platformers of the NES era. Those old classics were designed that way because of cartridge-memory limitations, but Mirror’s Edge can’t use that excuse.

Even with all of these great aspects, I feel that a terrible mistake was made by not including any multiplayer modes or extending the game time.

When you get down to the nitty gritty it seems that the chit-chat is what makes the game and the whole “mech aspect” was more of an afterthought.

A solid platform game that is fun to play, but it is not without its pitfalls that will leave you somewhat frustrated.

For those of you who've played the previous versions to death, then you may want to pass on this and wait for part 3 to come out early next year.

The visuals, although not up to the Xbox’s standards are good. The gameplay is only hindered by the button placement on the Xbox controller and that is not EA’s fault.

The ultimate hybrid of the old-school arcade game and next generation console. Your hands are going to hurt at the end of this game, but it’s going to be a blast.

If you’re a true surfer, I would think that this game would be a must have. People who enjoy other “board” games will also rate this game very high.

The gameplay is great, graphics are above par for a baseball title, and the audio is exactly what it should be. On a negative note, there is slim to none single player existence so SlugFest is a multiplayer game in all its glory.

If you’re more aligned with Bridge than you are with Go Fish, and don’t mind Lady Luck dropping into the pot every now and again, Culdcept Saga may just be the console game departure that you’ve been craving.

An extremely stylistic experiment with a well-tailored story and high production values that offers us a glimpse of what lies ahead in gaming, but overwhelmingly shows that we still have a long way to go.

The mixture of varied and well executed gameplay, along with tolerable graphics make for basic yet entertaining action that even grandma can enjoy, well, at least until she has a photosensitive seizure.

The gameplay still remains as rambunctious as ever, but the available modes of play are definitely lacking.

Daytona USA will make for a welcome trip down memory lane for fans of the original, but newcomers to the franchise won't find much to entertain themselves here.

There are very few games that showcase this kind of creativity combined with a protagonist with a believable reason behind their cause.

Real World Golf is stout enough in basic gameplay mechanics to make the entire package worth it, especially if you're and avid golf fan.

From a video game standpoint, there are things that the game does well, like the strategy and motivation of your players, and things that it doesn't, such as the barebones online showing and the absence of any offline multiplayer.

This set isn't a horrible beginning for those looking to introduce themselves to the Metal Slug series, but last years Metal Slug 3 offers up no unlimited continues, the original development team's work, and a much more "Metal Slug" feel.

Even with some flaky ship-control dynamics, Star Trek D-A-C is pretty enough to make for a decent XBLA purchase.

Purchased moves and learned skills help to keep the hack-and-slash of Conan fresher. Suspect physics and hit detection system. Camera control please.

The story mode has plenty of depth and is fun to pass around with a group of friends. Multiplayer is severely lacking and it’s a shame that Amped 3 can’t reach its full potential without it.

Turok is fairly solid technically, very compelling via its good storytelling and proper direction and somewhat interesting gameplay-wise with its mixture of human/dino enemies and stealth/traditional combat. Turok, however, is still a bit too familiar and cookie cutter to compete with the big boys of the FPS genre.

If you haven't played through the campaign that redefined console FPS then there is no better way to do it than with the new HD graphics and remade maps. Unfortunately, long time fans may be disappointed with the small selection of maps on the disc and the removal of the original multiplayer component.

There’s plenty of nostalgic, and newly added, fun to be had in Robotron: 2084. Both those who have played the original to death and those who have never blasted their way through the game will have tons of fun with the added multiplayer features.

While the gameplay and level design is improved and it's a good looking game, the unsatisfying narrative, boring characters, and overly gimmicky morality system combine with forgettable multiplayer and strange mechanics decisions to deliver a sequel that succeeds more than its forebear, but fails to be more than a pretty good third person shooter during a lean time for the sub-genre.