Madden 10 eclipses last-year’s effort in content, realism and value. Gameplay? Well, that’s more of a wash when compared to last year, and gameplay holds a lot of weight.

For its first band-in-a-box release, GHWT does a good job of getting on the map. In my view, though it does some things better, it doesn’t quite reach the sheer playability and enjoyment of Rock Band’s two releases and its broad DLC catalog. Close, but not right alongside its competitor.

The best baseball title on the XBOX right now. There are some things that can be improved, but a lot of gameplay is needed to find little bugs and errors in the game.

This isn't a game anyone is going to simply pick up, press the gas and work their way through. MotoGP 3 is a game that will test a player's ability to balance speed, physics and raw skill in order to work their way to the championship.

Put simply, Dead or Alive 4 is the best fighter Team Ninja has ever put together and it is easily the best looking game to play on the Xbox 360 in it’s early stages.

It’s hard to imagine a gamer not getting at least a few jollies form zipping around in Pure; and I don’t mean just racing genre gamers. That’s ‘E’ for Everyone– just like Pure’s ESRB rating. Moto-heads and racing nuts should be all over this one, as should fans of all games extreme in nature.

The sheer amount of features, including the Star Wars characters, makes Soulcalibur IV worth its premium asking price for those that adore this franchise. But it’s the synergistic power of these parts coming together that makes Soulcalibur IV a good recommendation to any player looking for a fresher take on the fighting game genre.

The way the sun, street lights, and even other cars reflect off your car will amaze you. Each city, (San Francisco, Tokyo, London, New York City) is modeled as seen in real life, so you might recognize some of the places or buildings you are zipping by.

My two biggest complaints are 1.) there are not enough quests in total and 2.) the choices you make do not affect the overall outcome of the story that much. Even though I truly enjoyed playing through Fable twice, I still can help but feel a little bit let down by the scope. This was an adventure that I didn't want to end, yet it did far too soon.

The game isn’t that much different five-on-five style, but the inclusion of online play and cool new game modes puts it over the top. The Dunk Contest in itself is worth the price of admission.

The new story mode takes the genre in another direction that is engaging but still keeps the tried-and-true Tony Hawk goodness intact. If you love the series then you are going to cream over Tony Hawk’s Underground.

Capcom has provided players with a package that rivals any other fighter on the market and surpasses the best of them in terms of presentation.

There’s no question that Activision and Neversoft aren’t content to sit back and just release new songs—or release new major titles in the GH franchise that have trivial or negligible feature offerings.

The astounding level of variety that is packed into the game is wonderful to see.

A fine blend of platforming and combat. Silken-smooth control set makes you want to play until the fingers are raw.

The "grudges and alliances" mode alone makes the game above and beyond any racing sim out there in terms of AI.

While Madden NFL 08 certainly isn’t perfect, it’s damn near close. The on-field action is stellar, thanks largely to a buttery smooth framerate and one of the best animation systems seen in a sports game to date. You’ll stay busy with the Franchise and Superstar mode for a good deal of time, and the impeccable online netcode will ensure that you’ll have an excellent experience on Xbox Live.

At first I was ready to send my controller sailing out my front window, but patience prevailed and I found myself immersed in the feel of the game.

Very clever puzzles and fun action sequences will take you through the course of the Original Trilogy. The vehicular battles, especially with two people, are a real highlight.

It's a well crafted, story-based experience that goes beyond anything we've seen from Rockstar in terms of storytelling. It sheds some very important light on the events that transpired before the time of the film while still staying true to the original for the sake of the fans.

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.