I'm taking a big risk rating the game as high as it is right now, and if for some reason things aren't worked out in the next week or two, this score is going to drop like a rock, but when the game works, it's absolutely amazing. Here's hoping makes it.

Zero Escape is the very definition of a niche title. If you have experience with visual novels you'll be in love with the game, and if you like puzzles and don't mind a LOT of narrative it's still great. If you want nonstop action, move along!

A highly polished gameplay foundation makes Vanquish a title well worth playing, even if it's over far too quickly, something that unfortunately cannot be said of its cliche laden story and incredibly annoying character dialogue.

An extended (and actual) single-player campaign that'll keep you busy for days while taking you on a tour of a galaxy far, far away helps balance out an uneven online experience that's amazing when it's good.

I've never been so happy to be so angry with a game. The peanut butter/chocolate combo took this long to be combined why, now? You know what, it doesn't matter. You need this game -- even if you think you don't. Just be ready with the blood pressure meds.

I can't find a single gripe with the game. The control is absolutely perfect (wait till you feel the transition from road to water, it's awesome), the sound is great, the interface is clean and gorgeous.

Thanks to an interesting trading system and the promise of literally hours and hours of extra gameplay-unlocked goodies, an improved system for absorbing and applying souls and perfectly executed graphical and aural treats as so few developers in this industry can really deliver, the game is simply too good to miss.

No matter what kind of gamer you are, you need this in your PSP library.

It's a game everyone should experience.

This is about as good as an arcade port gets without straying too far away from the original. Shadows of Mystara is a rare gem in the quarter-munching world and they added layers of PSN integration are implemented really well.

An absolutely addictive and surprisingly deep and varied video pinball offering Marvel Pinball does the license right and establishes ZEN Studios as one of the most talented purveyors of downloadable content out there. Buy this game.

I never thought I'd see the day a Sly game actually got less than a 9 from me, but there are some serious flubs here that get in the way of what is an otherwise incredible platforming experience. It's still great, but it could have been better.

It's sadly a little too short to be a really meaty experience, but while it lasts -- and for us non-perfectionist sorts, the first dozen or so levels that you try to get across-the-board perfects on -- it's so charming that you won't want it to end.

I'm still waiting until we get a modern assassin game out of this universe, but until then Black Flag breathes a whole new energy back into the series. It also looks stunning on the PlayStation 4 and offers a lot of bang for your buck.

This game is fantastic fun at times and a joy to play, but at others it can be disappointing and outright frustrating.

Above all else, though, it's the game's delightful sense of balance and ever-present progress carrot dangling just out of reach that kept me coming back.

Buy this game, if only for the fact that it's the best of its kind, but like me, you'll probably find that after pouring literally dozens of hours into the game, you'll find yourself searching for something a bit meatier, and I don't just mean bigger combos and larger levels, but something that really revamps the genre like it did almost five years ago.

There's something to be said for iterating on an already proven idea. That's precisely what Pelsoft has done with their take on tower defense, and as a result it plays unlike anything else on the PS3 -- or elsewhere for that matter.

No, Final Fantasy XIII isn't perfect. It is, by and large, an absolutely incredible accomplishment in terms of technical wizardry and streamlining of so much of the unneeded fluff found in a lot of JRPGs.

Easily one of the best puzzle games ever made. Yes, it's really that good. If you own a PSP, you need this game.

Despite being next to nil in the story and character development side of things, the few RPG elements that are merged with a traditional FPS are so well represented that it ends up making the game insanely addictive.

Tetris has met its match. Lumines: Electronic Symphony is a painstakingly scrawled love letter to puzzle games and electronica of every stripe. Not only should every Vita owner buy it, every person who cares about video games should play it.

A game that unites clean, sober folks and dirty hippies alike. Such is the power of a Queasy Game.

Avalanche has done a phenomenal job of capturing the most important element of any video game, and they've done while giving you one hell of a play.

I can't hammer home enough the point that though this is very much a sports sim, it's still both accessible and deep enough that neither the casual nor hardcore crowds will be dissuaded. It's easily one of the PS3's strongest titles.

It's a solid game, and the improvements show a lot of promise. It fixes a lot of problems from last year, though some things are continuously overlooked. Next year should really make or break the Infinity Engine, as 13 was a test run.

There is a lot to do in R3 and most of it is enjoyable. Sure, there are parts that could have used some work, but you'll probably have too much fun to take notice of them most of the time.

I was starting to get worried that maybe Final Fantasy VII just shouldn't be revisited with some of the previous games, but Crisis Core blows any doubt out of the water. Get this game, and then join us in praying for a PS3 remake.

I pray this is the direction adventure games are going. The production values and attention to detail recall classics like Blade Runner, and not since that game have I wanted to live in a world like this. Buy this game.

The trip is greater than the eventual destination. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy wrapping things up with a nice, meaty ending, but there's so much good stuff along the way that I didn't mind (despite what expletives may have erupted from my office) some of the more annoying parts of the game.

It not only piles on an extensive list of race types in addition to the rally courses Codemasters has become famous for, but heaps on new kinds of vehicles and manages to pull it off with some of the best presentation I've ever seen in a racing game.

Polished, tweaked and streamlined, this is Ninja Gaiden 2 done a half-step better.

Stacking fills a role as a clever little family game that is great for a weekend with the kids. As a showcase for the humor of Double Fine, Stacking can't stand up to some of the past gems from the studio.

Blood Money is, in every way, the best Hitman game IO Interactive has made yet. The missions are more open and the noteriety and upgrades systems give you more reason to go back and play through the missions again. Just ignore that feeling of deja vu.

Black Ops II isn't a revelation; what you'll play here is largely what you've played before. There's simply so much to play, though, that it's impossible to deny that Treyarch has finally given us a Call on par with the best of 'em.

In all, Guitar Hero III serves as a nice little high water mark for Neversoft. It's hardly all that high, but proves that, yes, they can actually make a Guitar Hero game without trashing the series in one fell swoop and, as evidenced by the stuff seen in the Aerosmith expansion, they can clearly learn from their mistakes.

One hell of a brawler. A fantastically weighted fighting system that perfectly demonstrates how thick, raw sound effects and smooth animation can suck you into the visceral, almost feral world of these underground fights gives your fingers, eyes and ears all something to digest while plowing through a story that actually keeps you in the game.

The most accessible, fastest, most potent version of the series. It’s arguably the best of the four games that make up the series, but nobody can deny that’s easily the prettiest.

An absolutely fantastic game, and stands as one of the best ways to enjoy old-school flavor in a decidedly next-generation effort.

It's the PS2 version of THUG2 gone handheld, and it lost nothing in the translation. The new added levels are a perfect fit and there is no better example of how to pack a console game's worth of content on a UMD. Period.

Gorgeous from top to bottom, simultaneously old-school and yet nicely updated and an absolute joy to play Odin Sphere is a monumental achievement in art design and execution. Now if we could just get it all in HD.

So yes, I'm a big whiner about the new way the game throws all its different modes at you during the career progression, but custom soundtracks, online play, tons of subtle little tweaks to the handling, track design, weapons and even a few elements borrowed from past games all add up to one of the most insanely packed offerings on the PSP right now.

Better than the first, but not by much. If it weren't for some roster upgrades that more or less make the game, and a little more control over how your characters level up, this WOULD be the first game all over again.

The bottom line is that this is a fantastic value for the measly $30 Sony is asking.

Though SingStar out of the box isn't quite compelling in the same way some of the more recent releases have been, tracks-wise, the overwhelmingly awesome online functionality absolutely makes up for it and then some.

An addicting and enjoyable simulation.

This franchise may be getting long in the tooth but that doesn't stop LEGO Marvel Super Heroes from being a thoroughly delightful romp that's both funny and full of variety.

Saints Row: The Third may not be the balls-out, fun-filled romp that Volition intended, but when the game hits its highs, there's really nothing else out there that can match it. Come for the takeover of Steelport, stay for the creative mayhem.

It might be a little light on content for the full price, but if you’re a fan of eye candy, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better source of pupil fodder on the PS2.

This is a wonderful game. Hampered by a bit of overuse in some of the core mechanics, yes, but still a fantastic way of delivering an experience that you can only get when a great game designer and attention from the movie's director come together.

Basketball gameplay in NBA 2K9 is second to none of 2K Sports' competitors.

The real area where SOCOM shines is in the player models and animations -- where everything from a simple reload to the way a seal crawls across a muddy riverbank to the way a freshly-capped enemy lurches forward and back, then topples over silently -- drips with an astonishing amount of detail.

It may have taken half a decade to go from concept to execution, but Darksiders proves that time, adoration of the classics and a remarkably confident hand can indeed overcome the freshman development jitters. What a debut.

The freshest thing to hit the market since bananas. The wildly addicting gameplay and monkey-catching offer hours and hours of enjoyment, and completing 100% of the game is a rewarding task that can easily offer 20+ hours of gameplay time.

Skullgirls is proof of what an independent developer with an ear to the people can produce. It was simply engineered in a superior manner, by a team with more freedom than those from larger companies enjoy.

PixelJunk Shooter 2 is Q-Games' most complete and robust package yet, offering not only an excellently polished single-player campaign, but also what will likely go down in history as one of the year's best multiplayer experiences.

In some ways Tekken Tag Tournament 2 feels like a waypoint before the next REAL Tekken game. Still, there is a huge roster of fighters and the same tight technical gameplay that is the hallmark of the series. Series fans will be pleased.

The series has been refined and honed to near perfection, but some serious AI bugs and wonky headset performance hurt things. If it weren't for the ridiculously hardcore and juvenile online community, it would almost be good enough to be multiplayer-only.

It hurts to not score this higher, especially considering the incredible writing and epic amount of well-varied quests, but the rampant bugs and gameplay that is getting stale really drag this down.

Great controls (except for those stupid motorcycle parts), amazing graphics, a solid storyline and wonderful vocal performances add up to not only a reinvigoration of the series, but the best Tomb Raider game yet, and a worthy purchase for everyone, not just the fans of the series hoping for a real sequel.

PES 2013 is a very respectable soccer game that maintains its excellence on the field but unfortunately fall further behind in the bells and whistles department making it a distant runner-up in this year's battle for soccer supremacy.

Flight Control HD moves from the small screen to the big screen flawlessly, and remains as addictive as ever. Not only that, it provides another great medium for the launch of the new Move controller.

GRID 2 occupies a weird spot between sim and arcade racer. If you know what you are getting into this is a solid title that doesn't try to break any molds. Online racing a track design could be more compelling though.

It's Tekken, through and through. You'll either find that a comfort or a detraction, but love or hate the series, there's no denying that its reached the top of its game with this latest entry. If you're a fan, don't hesitate to pick it up.

It's just a notch below the Vita version for playability but Dragon's Crown on the PS3 still shines as the fullest-featured arcade-style brawler with unique visuals. The steep price tag is scary but there is more than meets the eye here.

The storyline in place is something that absolutely should be experienced, but it's not one that comes easily. If you can stomach more random encounters per capita than nearly any other RPG out there, it's worth it, but that's a lot to ask.

As much as the other categories sound good - the story really brought the game down.

Everything from the first game has been done better, cleaner and with more emphasis, but the free-roaming city is a double-edged sword, offering a sprawling metropolis to navigate, but a bit too much travelling in some spots.

Yes, the load times absolutely get in the way of the fun, but they don't overwhelm it, and in the end ModNation Racers is the best kart racer this generation.

The game still retains a brilliant sense of balance and an intrinsic "just one more try" feeling, and now there's more of it.

A great installment that any college football fan will enjoy (and has probably put hundreds of hours into already). With a good group of friends for an online dynasty this game won't leave your PS3's disc tray anytime soon.

The perfect condensation of arcade themes, jaw-dropping visuals and old-school challenge come together in one of the most complete ports I've ever seen on the PSP. Buy this game, and buy it now.

Saints Row 2 is a very flawed game, but it does have entertainment value.

Blur is a great racing game. It's at its greatest when you're playing it online against other people, but even offline there's more to things here than just a kart racer with licensed cars.

Resistance: Retribution is one of the best games on the PSP, plain and simple.

Hustle Kings isn't another shoddy download game. It brings a high quality pool sim experience through the PSN and gives you a lot to do included with the price of admission.

Once you've taken the time to adjust to the nuances, the new swing mechanic completely changes the game, yet retains the same pick-up-and-play feel that the series has always had.

It's a staggering amount of content to chew through, helped by a simple presentation and controls that feel dead on -- d-pad or analog nub -- and a fantastic way to overcome the PSP's digital buttons.

One of the PSP's best titles finally gets a sequel. But can a Top 40 musical injection make the game better, or does it hurt it?

Insomniac didn't really stray too much from the formula they've built up over the years, and it works to the game's benefit. Sure, you can really explore, but the objectives are varied, the challenge nice and the RPG elements nicely assembled. Good stuff.

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is a great place for newcomers to jump in -- provided they have the setup to play with others in some form. Without that, or for double-dippers, I offer a far less enthusiastic recommendation.

It’s a good, solid shooter, but even with the 4-player deathmatch (which I’m not really a fan of), there’s not a lot of substance here.

A blast to play, even in extended sessions thanks to a good story baseline, plenty of simple pick-up-and-play gameplay elements, and a control scheme that’s as intuitive as it is fluid.

One of the best light-gun shooters you’ll find on a console. The gameplay is addictive, the GunCon2 controls are unmatched, and the overall feel of the game is just right.

Easily one of the best RPGs on the PS2 -- and that's saying something. The utterly unique combination of dating and combat elements blend into a game that truly is greater than the sum of its parts.

The game has a lot of appeal. It fixes a lot of problems but there are some cuts that put a ding in the improvements. I like challenges but I hate how frustrating the AI can be. Play with friends online and locally and you'll have barrels of fun.

There are times when a level can seem absolutely impossible until something just clicks, and the game's simple approach to delivering it all is infinitely helpful in that regard. Rather than distracting, you're encouraged to sit back and concentrate, and the result is an incredibly original, thoroughly engrossing take on a visual puzzler.

It's a treat to see super heroes nteract with one another. The script is great, the gameplay is strong, and it's a strong step in the right direction. If you enjoy previous LEGO titles, you'll be right at home here.

You'll get more than your money's worth here. This is a game that you will pull from the shelf for months to come just to drop in and do "one more race" that will lead to a few lost hours.

The collection hits highs (Jak 1) and lows (Jak II) but serves as a great window into the changing of the guard in action platforming in the early aughties. Gamers who haven't checked out the series really should for historic value alone.

It's rare that DLC simultaneously benefits the original game and expands upon in it a way that's satisfying for those that already finished the game, but Broken Steel does precisely that. Familiar though it may be, this DLC is an absolute must.

Thanks to tighter AI, newer online play, and a portable experience that handily apes that of the more established console cousin, Fireteam Bravo 2 ends up being the better of the two SOCOM games released recently.

In some ways GT6 feels like a robust expansion pack, but there are enough general improvements and additions that you'll find this release makes GT5 obsolete. A fine return to form at the tail end of the generation.

An improved sequel in every sense of the word, Patapon 2 is an absolute must-have for every PSP owner, and a perfect way to launch Sony's downloadable-only games distribution service.

It's certainly solid enough, and easily the better of EA's sports offerings at launch, but again, the polarizing nature of the controls will directly influence how you feel about the game as a whole.

Soul Calibur V could have been so much more. As it stands, it's a solid fighting game that feels a bit hollow. It misses the creative modes that made the series unique in the first place.

It's hard to see why you'd need multiple billiards games, but Pool Nation is a fine choice if you are just looking for a way into the genre. Solid physics and solid design are all you really need and you'll get that and more here.

Reckoning does a lot of things right. 38 Studios should be proud of their first title. Hopefully with some revisions, especially with the camera and difficulty balancing, we'll see an even better title next time.