The learning curve on the controls is steep and is going to turn away anyone that dislikes virtual controls right form the start.

While I'm not a huge fan of their material after the Black Album, the game is set in such a way that you don't have to play a ton of songs you dislike in order to progress, and there are so many classics here that even the most hardcore Metallica fan will love it.

I applaud the developers for taking the series in a different route and creating a full-fledged adventure here.

The ideal market for this game would probably be shooter fanatics that have a low-brow sense of humor. Those easily offended or prefer more team based shooters need not apply.

The game is a no-brainer in terms of entertainment value for the whole family and it's definitely a title to pick up if you're looking for some relaxed game time with the kids (or parents).

What Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 lacks in innovation it makes up for with quality. This is undoubtedly the best anime fighter available and subtle tweaks have improved it over the previous installments.

Armored Core for Answer is another meaty entry for a niche franchise with a loyal group of followers.

There's a considerable amount of content in the game, but it is somewhat easier to complete than the original likely due to the allowances made to include the unique Playstation Move control scheme.

That being said, Deux Ex: Human Revolution is an enjoyable experience that in this case may work better as art than it does as a game. And I'll always find room in my heart for a game that strives for more, even if its reach ultimately exceeds its grasp.

It's unfortunate that Epic Mickey has such a nasty barrage of poor gameplay design choices as the story is absolutely top notch.

There's a moderately satisfying amount of entertainment to be found in Dead Rising 2: Case West, but the $10 cost seems high for the 2.5 hour play time.

And in the End... Most older players won't get an extended life out of We Ski, as the game play can get a bit repetitive, and starts out very easy, though for families looking to play together, it's worth every penny.

Ultimately, fans of GT4 are going to find a great deal of value in GT5. Just don't expect to see the same advances that have been made in racing games over the last three years.

Overall, I was pretty happy with Civilization: Revolution. As a longtime fan of the franchise, I hesitant to pay 60$ for a watered down version of a game I own more copies than I count.

Saying that, if you've enjoyed the characters in the past, there's more than a good chance you'll like these adventures, especially as they get better as you move along, even if the video presentation doesn't make a similar improvement.

For $15, it's a bit steep for a dungeon crawler, but probably worth demoing on Xbox Live if you are fan of the PC version.

In the end, it's hard for me to recommend Infamous 2. If you played the first one, you'll want to play this in order to get the conclusion to the story. However, the lack of real innovation may be a turn off, and makes the second go through a real chore. For those reasons, I'd recommend that players rent this one.

Tomb Raider: Anniversary is a nice throwback, but doesn’t offer much innovation to adventure gamers in this generation of consoles.

With such little development time between titles, it should be no surprise that there's not much difference between We Ski and We Ski & Snowboard, but that doesn't stop it from being a disappointment, since Shaun White Snowboarding raised the bar since that first release.

Toy Story 3 is clearly targeted at a much younger demographic of players than the vast majority of Xbox 360 releases, but there's plenty of entertainment value for young adults that grew up on the Toy Story movies.

Secret Agent Clank is a fun diversion for fans of the franchise looking for something else to sink their teeth into.

Final Thoughts: "NCAA Football '09" could use some graphical polish and the AI isn't dazzling, but the game remains an entertaining time overall and the online dynasty mode should keep fans busy for the Winter months.

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 is a collection of ups and downs. On the plus side the core gameplay is fun and rewarding, character models look great, and there is decent online support. On the downside button mashers can destroy everyone, there's no penalty for dropping from a match, to get the most of the game you have to play through countless hours of single player, and environments are bland.

While the cute factor is off the charts, Kinectimals never really offers the addicting gameplay and depth of a game like Viva Pinata.

All in all, they have created an amazingly large, expansive driving game that's truly a joy to get lost within, but doesn't perform well enough to keep you within that illusion.

Splatterhouse isn't a bad game, but it's riddled with enough inconsistencies that I can't wholeheartedly recommend it.

Playing this game, it was hard to not compare it to Just Dance 2, largely because they are the same game, with different music and visuals. The problem is, Michael Jackson: The Experience comes up short in any comparison, thanks to less modes and the inability to expand the title without an in-game store.

One of the biggest problems with the game is its length, clocking in at about 4 to 6 hours depending on your difficulty preferences. Mix that with a minimalistic multiplayer mode and we have a recipe for a weekend rental rather than a purchase, even though the fact paced action and naturally entertaining story are worth a playthrough for any true fan of Bond. I really enjoyed the ride while it lasted, but anyone that shells out full MSRP is going to feel jilted after the credits roll.

In terms of technical performance, this game is fairly solid. But you aren't getting the simulation style gameplay found in the Skate series or even the all-arcade style of the Tony Hawk series.

Though the game looks and sounds solid (which should be expected) it's jut too repetitive and too short (thankfully, due to the repetition) in single player mode.

Despite the vast variety of gameplay features to explore in Tony Hawk: Proving Ground, I found myself wanting a less skill-specific, more rewarding experience. The controls were too unforgiving and the difficulty was set far too high in many cases.

Despite being a solid fighting game for a portable platform, it's unfortunate to see such a barebones version of Undisputed, in comparison to the console versions.

Castle Crashers is an entertaining brawler, but the replay value is chopped into little frustrating bits by a horrifically painful online experience.

You are looking at about 14 to 16 hours of gameplay for Kingdom Hearts Re: coded, but slogging through the entire story really lacks any substantial payoff.

There's just not enough variation to keep interest in this game over 36 stages, despite a really great core concept, solid controls, a story you might actually want to follow and impressive voice acting.

There are elements of Monsters vs. Aliens that could be part of a really enjoyable game, but they are served up over and over again, and with an nonadjustable level of difficulty that's too easy for anyone who's graduated middle school, before becoming too difficult for the kids enjoying it.

One look at the cover of We Cheer and it's far too easy to skip right past it on the way to another rhythm game, but that would be a mistake, especially if you're looking for a challenge, as few games offer such a solid mix of difficulty and song selection.

1942: First Strike is highly entertaining… while it lasts.

The Spiderwick Chronicles isn’t a tough game to complete, but it can be entertaining for young fans of the books.

A great story that manages to make old ground seem fresh, coupled with out-of-this world sound design, is sadly attached to a middle-of-the-road, limited third-person gaming experience.

If you played Lost Planet for the 360 then there frankly isn't any reason to spend time with the PlayStation 3 version. The original release stands out as the better version.

But if you want to play with your children, and they have a few friends whose parents were willing to buy them some additional figurines, then you might be able to get some decent fun out of it. For everyone else, though, Skylanders is a pass.

I hate to break it to fans of the sport but NASCAR 09 is not the be-all and end-all video game experience. This year's edition is decent but it doesn't stand out in any way and it doesn't really raise the bar of expectations.

For a team based shooter, I'd say it's on par with the entertainment value of the early Battlefield games like 1942. In the end, you have to weigh how much value the multiplayer is going to be for you. If you love alternate reality shooters, I would say try renting the title before looking for a cheap used copy (assuming you love the team based multiplayer).

If you have points to spare, or don't mind plunking down some cold cash to obtain a few, you cannot go wrong with this fun title.

Guitar Hero used to be a pitch perfect game. Neversoft has not been able to replicate the level of critical success as Harmonix has, however, and World Tour is another disappointment.

Warriors: Legends of Troy is a pretty impressive project from Tecmo-Koei Canada. It features an interesting storyline that provides a great backdrop for a video game, as well as some well-done cutscenes and audio. However, its repetitive gameplay is something that will turn a lot of people off, even if it is more polished than it's ever been.

But if you're looking for an extensive gaming experience, you won't find it here, as once you unlock all the songs, it's just a matter of repetition.

This is about as good as it gets for a game that can be purchased on the cheap.

It's a visceral racing title that takes the genre back to its roots but it in no way pushes the envelope.

Aside from the powerful and dynamic sound mix, everything else about Airborne is thoroughly pedestrian.

The price point ($29.99) on Super Collapse 3 is on par with regular NDS titles, but it feels like you are getting cheated on the feature set.

Give it a shot if you're looking for something fun that can be played in short bursts, though don't expect a masterpiece. For its price, there quite a bit of content. Though a rental period could also suffice.

”Avatar: The Game” isn’t one of those rare fantastic tie-ins, but is by no means as haphazard as “Enter the Matrix” or as detached as “Lost: Via Domus.” It’s ultimately an average game due to a fairly solid, cookie cutter campaign and impressive audio/visual presentation.

As a fan of role playing games, it pains me to see Two Worlds released in such a haphazard condition. It’s actually an entertaining, rewardingly difficult RPG, unfortunately locked up in a graphical engine wrought with massive problems, containing gameplay riddled with design issues, and features a currently lag-filled multiplayer.

The narrative of either expansion doesn’t even come close to offering a satisfying conclusion to the original story and the multiplayer options are humdrum to say the least.

The real disappointment about this version is the lack of different modes and mini-games.

If you're a fan of the show, then Afro Samurai is definitely a game you should take the time to play. It may lack polish in a few key parts, and it may be shorter than we'd like, but the fact of the matter is that the game is a blast.

Something tells me that another 6 months to a year of development time on Tron: Evolution could have brought a truly amazing game, but unfortunately the rushed development cycle to match the movie's release strikes again and the half-assed gameplay is the result of that.

While the actual workouts offered are pretty intense and could certainly help you stay or get healthy, there's little reason to use this on a Wii, as there's no tracking via a Wii-mote or accessory.

Overall, Nintendogs + Cats offers nothing substantially new for those familiar with the previous titles. It's a shame, because this series could really shine on the 3DS, if Nintendo were willing to put in the effort.

Unless you are a die hard shooter fan who craves any and all titles, this game, while not a must have, is still an enjoyable title that would be a good addition to your library.

Unfortunately, the short single player campaign, simplistic achievements and lack of any online multi-player eliminates replay value. This is an excellent rainy-day rental or a definite buy once it’s discounted in a few months.

If Heavy Weapon feels like an online Flash Game at any time, you’ll be happy to know that it basically is. There’s fun to be had here for sure, but it’s not the same type of fun that you get from a long epic story.

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is overpriced considering the lackluster single player and dated design.

Overall Magna Carta 2 isn’t a horrible game, but it’s not one that really makes you stand up and cheer either.

Overall, Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy is a decent RPG.

Though it's quite unique and does a good job of mixing different genres together into one game, Slam Bolt Scrappers is a ho-hum experience.

X-Men Arcade is a game most enjoyed by people that remember wasting endless amounts of quarters on the arcade classic.

Even at $10, the game feels overpriced for the amount of content that comes with the title. Adding in the fact that it's somewhat difficult to play with the controller, the visuals are uninspiring and the community is pretty much absent and we have a FPS that's never going to flourish.

nail'd is often a frustrating game to play due to the problematic physics engine. It also doesn't convey much of a personality as an arcade racer; applying a dated presentation to lackluster arcade racing doesn't make for a tremendous experience.

Guitar Hero Smash Hits isn't a bad idea, but the execution is less than perfect, with strange sound mixes and no possible DLC. Given that this is the third of five Guitar Hero products to be released in 2009, making it feel like nothing but a cash grab.

I'm curious if Obsidian led off with their weakest Fallout Vegas add-on pack as the repetitive, frustrating gameplay emphasizes the weaker elements of Fallout: New Vegas and seems even more buggy than the actual game. Raising the level cap by 5 does help extend the life of the first game though, even if the add-on pack is on the average side.

In an industry that pumps out tons of zombie games each year, there's nothing incredibly distinctive about Dead Nation.

I'm not sure that this release really deserves the price sticker attached to it because it's mainly just an upgrade but it's still a decent experience just the same.

If you're a fan of the show, then Afro Samurai is definitely a game you should take the time to play.

Sadly, the Les Paul guitar controller does not work as well as it does on the 360, requiring an external dongle to work. It also does not work with previous Guitar Hero games, so fans of the other entries will have to keep waiting if they want to play them on the PS3.

The cramped controls, three hour campaign and an aged online component detract from an otherwise polished experience.

All in all, you cannot go wrong with a quality title like this that brings gamers and non-gamers together in a battle of trivia knowledge.

Sub par to moderately effective visuals and sound could wind up being a strong deterrent to players wanting to check out "Breach." Those who do and want a cooperative, tactical first person shooter, will find their efforts rewarded.

There’s no denying Dementium is a solid first effort for the Renegade Kid development team, and a sequel would certainly be welcome. The visuals are quite good, the sound is immersive, and the gameplay is above average.

Undead Nightmare is a great piece of DLC. A solid, well produced, and very funny single player story attached to an already stellar game engine, it's hard for any Red Dead: Redemption fan to pass this by.

As expected, the virtual playground that is the Sims doesn't convert very well into the console world. Even with the added gameplay components like Karma, the experience is very much like Sims 3-lite compared to the larger world in Sims 3 for the PC.

Shaun White Skateboarding is incredibly average in everything it does.

As it stands, the game is a rental at best, and even then only one to bother with if there's literally nothing else for you to play.

I can't recommend the Xbox 360 version of EA Sports Active 2 to anyone. You are much better going with Your Shape: Fitness Evolved for a fitness game or even Dance Central to shake your booty's calories away if you pick up a Kinect this holiday season.

The AI is the biggest offender here, and its unnatural behavior just doesn't lend itself well to the kinetic energy required for a football title.

Akimi Village is a very basic game that will only appeal to a certain type of gamer. One who is willing to invest a decent amount of time into restoring the vitality of a world, through repetitive actions. Due to this and its aforementioned issues, it's hard to recommend to anyone other than the hardcore life simulator fans.

While Bleach: Shattered Blade doesn’t exactly fail, the repetitive nature of the game does wear thin after only a short time spent playing.

A sloppy game. The graphics and audio are below average by today's standards and the gameplay suffers from repetition, lack of strategy, and terrible pacing.

NFL Tour is really a game without an identity or purpose. You won’t feel the same visceral excitement from a round of NFL Tour as you do when playing NFL Blitz.

I'm the last person to disparage point and click games, but the pace of this game and the breadth of its challenges do not add up to a fun time for someone who cut their teeth on games like Maniac Mansion.

Your interest in the tracks will ultimately determine if you need to pick this one up, as there are no universal must-haves included.

While it’s not a bad game, because it is a solid entry in to the series – there’s nothing left that I feel this series can offer gamers.

I certainly like the depth and variety of the XBox Live Arcade offerings. There are truly some gems in there that are worth their cost in points. Sadly, Rocketman: Axis of Evil falls short of that mark.

While it’s understandable that Nintendo would want to showcase one of their signature characters in a Wii game, it quickly becomes obvious that Donkey Kong Barrel Blast should not have made the jump from the Gamecube.

With the limited options in gameplay and meager incentives to encourage repeat visits to this virtual playground, it's hard to recommend this title for most gamers, but the general audience isn't the target here, a fact made obvious by the box art.

A stronger and more impressive outing overall, is marred with the same issues that plagued previous titles, including repetitive gameplay that never really evolves.