The Redemption is not great. It is not good. But it is sure as shoes better than Atari’s first attempt at doing the license justice, Rise of the Machines, a terrible first-person shooter with more in common with "Fugitive Hunter" than "Halo."

One Piece: Unlimited World Red Deluxe Edition provides an entertaining but flawed take on the One Piece franchise. Its story and gameplay show signs of promise, but repetitive and recycled missions, levels, and enemies drag down the game, especially during its later hours. Those looking for quick, mindless One Piece action should enjoy Unlimited World Red Deluxe Edition. However, those looking for a more complex and original game should keep waiting; the One Piece game of our dreams hasn't arrived just yet.

Black Hole is absolutely fun. The concept is simple, and the upgrade system is nice, but the core shooting really drives the title. The difficulty level is balanced enough to make you feel like you're making progress, but it isn't so generous that you can easily beat the game in one sitting. It may not be on many people's lists for best shoot-'em-up on the Switch, but it certainly belongs in a tier close to that level.

American Fugitive is fine if you can overlook its slew of flaws. From shaky AI to an overzealous crime detection system and spotty controls, there's enough here to make one quit the game rather quickly. It helps that the core aspect of the open-world gameplay and the small town setting are enough to keep some people interested. If you really want a throwback to the old GTA system, then this will do, but don't expect something as polished and varied as Retro City Rampage.

I have a nostalgic fondness of the original game, and Edna & Harvey: The Breakout - Anniversary Edition did not let me down. It's a smart and funny adventure with a unique tone of voice. The anniversary edition is truly the best version of the game, but it doesn't smooth out every gripe that I had with the original, all while introducing a few new headaches in terms of controls on the Switch. If you don't mind that, Edna & Harvey: The Breakout - Anniversary Edition is a fun adventure that will thoroughly scratch that point-and-click (Sw)itch.

It's a good effort, but it's just not worth more than bargain bin prices.

A playable, enjoyable, at times downright fun game, spreading brand recognition of the movie, and all at once giving your little nephew something to play while he's visiting your house for the weekend.

It's a real shame, because when you're doing almost anything but fighting in AI2, the game is an enjoyable enough experience.

It’s got flashy combat, an undeniably well-designed lead character, and a lot of ninja action. It’s just that the further you go, the less fun the game becomes, so you’d do better to rent this one.

Labyrinth Legends is an enjoyable, albeit brief, dungeon crawler that's designed to appeal to a broad cross-section of gamers. If you don't mind the repetition, you'll find a short game that's filled with some good puzzles and humor. It could have used a better multiplayer section, but as a single-player experience, it fits the bill. If you're craving a good dungeon crawler that isn't burdened by stats and minutiae, give this title a shot.

When it comes to multiplayer matches, this one will be the reigning king in my Gameboy for a long time to come, though I admittedly won't be popping it into my link port-less NDS again.

With Kinect and the new wave of full-body motion-tracking exercise games, EA Sports Active 2 is starting to feel a bit left behind in the fitness genre.

Smoke and Sacrifice presents itself as a game that knows exactly what it's going for. It doesn't push any boundaries in the gaming world but offers a fun, interesting, and somewhat different experience with the crafting and narrative. However, the narrative ends up feeling flat and hollow, and it detracts quite a bit from the experience. While the art style can be a little jarring at times, the rest of the visuals, the gameplay, and the audio all make the game enjoyable. Overall, Smoke and Sacrifice ends up feeling like a little bit less than what it was advertising, but it's still a fun experience.

Serious Sam 4 is a very good game in an underwhelming package. There's no doubt that the relentless carnage and large levels hit the sweet spot of old-school FPS charm in the solo and co-op modes. It feels good to shoot, dodge and scramble to pick up items at a frantic pace. The various bugs, long load times, and lackluster presentation drag things down significantly. It is well worth playing if you need a classic shooter fix, but be prepared for rough times until a few patches come into play.

Ultimately, it's a good version of a good game that originated on a very different platform — an even better game, really, just as Resident Evil 4 for Wii is the definitive version of an already excellent title.

Samba de Amigo is unlike any game out there — not just in the music genre, but in the whole grand scheme of video game design. While Samba is easy to pick up and get lost in, it will challenge you if you ask it to.

If you have a child who's a fan of horses, I don't think that Horse Life will really satiate any curiosity for them, so I'd suggest avoiding this one.

In the end, it's best to think of Serious Sam Double D XXL as a "director's cut" of the original game. It's not perfect, but it is a noticeable upgrade from what we saw on the PC in 2011.

For everything that it does right in a given area, it does something wrong.

If you were wondering whether World War Z: Game of the Year Edition is worth playing in 2020, you'll be pleased to know that it is. It's still very much the same experience that it was a year ago, except there's a lot more content. Matchmaking is a concern, but that may be alleviated by the introduction of cross-play across all platforms. Another issue is the general lack of variety in most areas, but if you get a good crew together, World War Z is plain, uncomplicated fun — and that's what matters.

As a game, Ninja Blade wears its identity on its sleeve: It's a stylish and over-the-top action game in which modern-day ninjas fight monsters that are ripping apart Tokyo.

Even fans of the genre will find the somewhat unfair single-player experience to be off-putting, despite the new boards and characters. For everyone else, it'll be a solid rental as long as you go through the options and tailor each game to last about an hour.

Top Spin 3 is best left to Wii-owning children who are pro tennis enthusiasts and can forgive the shady graphics, restrictive game modes and overall unfinished feel of the game.

BloodRayne: Betrayal is one of the most enjoyable platformers I've played in a long time. Even if you didn't enjoy the previous BloodRayne titles, there is a lot to like here, $15 price tag and all.

Despite the short length and lack of overall difficulty, Rango is a good game.

The incredible concept and execution really make this a unique game that plays really well. If you like shmups, need a hearty laugh, or just feel the need to blow up some zombies, you really can't go wrong by dropping $20 on this title.

Go! Go! Break Steady isn't really unique, and it isn't really a must-get game, but it's a successful mishmash of three genres that, in my experience, don't usually go together — hip-hop, puzzle and rhythm.

As we said in our initial preview, there's potential in Exoprimal. The basic mechanic of blasting away dinosaurs is absolutely fun, and the presence of competent bots filling in for missing humans ensures that no one is going to get shortchanged in a bout. There are enough goals in a match that there's no guarantee about what you'll get to play, and that keeps things fresh enough if you can progress through levels at a good clip. At the same time, the lack of a campaign mode hurts when it feels like the story is better served by having one, even if it only mimics Dinosaur Hunt with bots. Since this is an online-only game, it has a definitive shelf life unless Capcom can patch in something to help prevent the game from being obsolete if the servers ever get pulled. The game is fun now, and its presence on Xbox Game Pass ensures that subscribers can give it a shot before committing to a purchase, but it'll be interesting to see if the population holds up by the time the second season rolls around.

Mediocre in every sense of the word.

It's the only Breakout! clone on the DS to date, and it shows a remarkable amount of polish.

MotoGP '08 is a game that is unabashedly lacking in features, and if it weren't for the visuals, it could easily be mistaken for a racing game out of the '90s, as it does nothing to keep up with what other titles are doing in the genre today.

That's where Justice League Heroes shines: its ability to suck you in and make you forget about the real world's ills while you focus on that rampaging robot problem that Metropolis seems to have every Tuesday.

Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure is good for what it is. The main quests have a decent level of difficulty, the open nature of quest-solving is still present, and the large cast of DC characters is more than impressive, especially since it can be supplemented with original downloadable creations.

Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure is more than a love letter to the series' die-hard supporters. It's a solid adventure title that's loaded with brain teasers, personable characters, and a great musical score.

The multiplayer modes are a wonderfully nice touch, but the horrible pathfinding and AI get in the way of this being as good of a game as it truly could be.

Smash Court Tennis 3 is a solid tennis title with enough play modes to keep most enthusiasts entertained for hours. My only reservation is that it can be a bit frustrating at first because of the moderate learning curve.

At the end of the day, Close to the Sun is the exact opposite of what its name implies. It's not aiming for the sun, and while that also means it doesn't get burned by it, it's such a safe distance away that it doesn't feel like it's even trying. It's unfortunate to say for such a pretty, atmospheric game, but the superb presentation and a decent story are contradicted by slow gameplay that doesn't deliver the satisfaction that the setup deserved. Even at a highly reduced price, Close to the Sun had a lot of promise but ultimately fails to create a memorable experience due to its unengaging and bland gameplay.

Where the Heart Leads is a comfortable game about choices, family, and appreciating what you have. "Comfortable" is really the best word for it. You can pop it on and relax for an hour or two as you guide Whit through the strange landscape that is his life. I don't think it's going to change anyone's mind if they're not fond of narrative-driven titles, but it's a good example of the genre. If you're looking for the game that's the equivalent of sitting down with a cozy book, then that is exactly what this is. Often heartwarming, sometimes depressing, and frequently thought-provoking, Where the Heart Leads is worth a playthrough if you enjoy these sorts of titles.

Sniper Elite VR delivers where it counts the most — great sniping mechanics and a gory X-ray kill cam that looks phenomenal in VR — but the rest of the experience is a mixed bag. There's a forgettable story and mediocre shootouts when you're not handling a sniper rifle, and they both keep the game from standing out among more refined VR shooting offerings. If you are a fan of the franchise or you yearn for a good sniper rifle experience in VR, Sniper Elite VR is worth checking out.

You already know whether you're a fan of the series, and Just Dance 2024 Edition won't sway your opinion. With that said, it is great to see that the game makes a strong, conscious effort to keep the song library fresh without juggling different games; each iteration is now essentially a big track pack expansion. It's also good to see that the video quality has only gotten better, with a combination of dynamic backgrounds and a few songs that feature different animation styles (instead of people in full-blown costumes). It may still be the only dance game in town, but at least you'll be assured that there's some effort in earning that title rather than winning it by default.

Overall, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered is a pretty by-the-book update of a game that was clearly made for the limitations of the PS Vita. It's genuinely fun to play and smash your way through enemy robots as your favorite Gundam, but it's a very shallow game. You'll probably get bored of the combat loop well before you do everything the game has to offer. Fans of the franchise will have enough fun to make it worth the cash, but those looking for something with more meat on the bones will probably be better off looking elsewhere.

It's obvious that Deadlight is a game that was borne of passion. It's not perfect, but it is by no means a cookie-cutter cash grab. Given the short length, limited replay value and 1,200 MSP ($15 USD) price point, it is difficult to recommend across the board. For genre fans, though, Deadlight is a refreshing take on the zombie trope and an experience that stands on its own.

While it may be different from what series fans are used to, it is absolutely a game worthy of the Earth Defense Force title and lineage.

The premise for Need for Speed: The Run is good, but it is plagued by so many issues that it is hard to appreciate the things that it does well.

Gimmicks aside, G-Force is an enjoyable game. The controls are solid, the graphics are quite good and the sound is better than expected.

Outside of its polished action formula, sharpened AI, and crafting system, the only thing that dungeon crawlers might discover is how finite the experience can unexpectedly feel in so many other ways.

At the end of the day, though, the collision detection is enough of a problem to dock it a few points.

For the child and the child in all of us, give it a whirl, but if you steadfastly insist you grew up a long time ago, please move along; there's nothing for you to see here.

The odd control changes, some pretty bad graphics and presentation, and problems in half of the 24/7 mode, make the PSP iteration the bottom feeder of every available version. Avoid this, and wait to see how SvR '09 turns out.

Juiced--as much of a shame as this is because it actually tries out some very good ideas and could have been a contender with some fundamental changes--is more akin to "Street Racing Syndicate: Champion Edition." Take that as you will.

Gameplay is paramount, and I would say that PSU is a better game than the original, but not necessarily up to the same level of quality.

Had more thought been put into making the multiplayer options more feasible, the interface more intuitive, and the graphics clearer, then it could’ve been a really nice first RPG for the PSP. Unfortunately, the entire game gives the impression of having been hastily constructed along the most basic lines of the hack n’ slash formula in order to be ready to go for the system launch.

For an SNK fighting enthusiast and genre fanatic, this game is a must-have. The characters, fighting system and old-school graphics and sound really bring a person back to the genre's roots. For casual gamers, the incredible difficulty will quickly turn them off. Gamers looking for a challenge in their fighting games need look no further.

Each character is strikingly similar in appearance to the movie actors.

At half the asking price, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure would be a worthwhile impulse purchase, as the game itself still offers some intriguing gameplay. But a bare-bones release with a premium cost is difficult to justify for all but the most ardent of fans. You're better off buying a used Dreamcast or PSone copy and firing up the old console for a trip down memory lane.

Super Beat Sports is a fun rhythm game that's one of the better co-op and competitive offerings on the Switch. Some game modes may be hit-and-miss, but this is an above-average title. The Whacky Ball and Rhythm Racket modes were the most fun I've had with a local multiplayer in a long time, and I'd recommend the purchase of Super Beat Sports based on those two modes alone.

As intriguing as the concept is, the climax is not as nearly as exciting, and the weak ending makes the problem-plagued trip hardly worth the effort.

If you want a compelling, complex storyline ripe with betrayal and confusion, go ahead and pick this one up. If you want something to whet your twitch appetite between Nanostray and whatever the next space shooter will be, then pass on this one, or try it before you buy it.

Even with all of the technical difficulties and bland graphics, I still looked forward to playing the game when I was away from it.

You need to be willing to work with the game long enough for that to happen, but Armored Core V isn't engaging enough for anyone but die-hard fans of giant robot customization to actually do so.

Those who have a reliable gaming comrade on hand will find Schizoid to be a very rewarding cooperative romp, even in the face of some derivative level design. Just don't expect to feel the magic if you're the only one playing.

Flock! is a game with an endearing presentation but it's sadly followed by incredibly weak execution in the core gameplay, especially in the offering of campaign levels.

It's unfortunate that the Mafia III gameplay isn't anywhere near as compelling as the storytelling. An ingenious mix of setting and characters has been established to generate a believable spin on organized crime, but the game mechanics are nowhere near as impressive in either design or execution.

Fans of the franchise will need no more encouragement and will enjoy the title immediately upon purchase. For those who are craving some fun gaming in quick bites, this title will suit you nicely.

The idea is fresh, fits the handheld's control scheme perfectly and gives gamers who are bored of match-three titles something different to try out.

The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road is a solid attempt at transporting players to the world of Oz. The gameplay presents players with all the usual RPG trappings, and while it could have been a bit more imaginative or open world-like, I'm not at all disappointed with the game.

All in all, My Hero's One Justice is a fun experience for fans, but that's about its limit. It's faithful to the source material almost to a fault, and it does a great job of including little touches and inside jokes that make it clear that a lot of love for the franchise was included in the game. As a game on its own merits, though, it is thoroughly average. The unbalanced gameplay feels appropriate for the franchise, but it can also lead to it not being very fun for head-to-head play. If you're a big fan of the My Hero Academia anime and manga, you'll get your money's worth from this game, but anyone else should wait for a price drop.

For fans of the series, Just Cause 4 ends up being one of those virtually critic-proof titles. The story is forgettable, and the repetitive mission types can feel like a chore. With that said, the chaos that all of your tools can cause creates a type of destructive madness that few other games can replicate, and the fun springing from that anarchy is undeniable. It isn't a masterpiece by any means, and it could certainly stand to be improved in the area of graphical presentation, but the moment you get your hands on the game, you might not care so long as there's something you can blow up.

You can easily find a lot to like in The Rub Rabbits!, and the diversity of gameplay keeps you hooked for a long time, but like those booth games at the carnival, you will probably grow bored or despise many for their simplicity or frustration factor.

Fairy Tail 2 seems like a perfectly lovely RPG for fans of the franchise. It doesn't break any molds, and it leans heavily on fan service, but if all you want is a chance to play an RPG with your favorite cast members, it does the job. The over-the-top combat styling keeps things interesting in what would otherwise be a generic button-mashing experience, and there are enough RPG mechanics to provide the satisfaction of tricking out your favorite characters. It's not a game for people who are unfamiliar with the series, but Fairy Tail fans will be quite delighted by the experience.

As a whole, Munin is fun. The gimmick of world manipulation is done well, and each level uses the mechanic to its full potential with some clever puzzles.

In the end, The Solus Project is a fascinating game that is more about exploration than survival.

Lords of the Fallen is not a bad game, but when compared to the Souls series, it is a lesser one.

If you're a fan of the series or strategy in general and are willing to put up a few minor flaws and some bugs (which will hopefully be patched), then I highly recommend this title.

An amazing action/shoot-"em-up of the sort that casual gamers everywhere seem to crave, yet never notice sitting on the shelves in front of them.

A good time, although the gameplay mechanics drag down what could otherwise have been a great title. The puzzles are varied and challenging, the graphics are (mostly) of a good quality, the inventory and journal interfaces are well-organized and intuitive, and the voice actors are believable.

The soundtrack perfectly compliments the World War II motif, transitioning flawlessly from one epic instrumental to another.

True Crime lacks the open-ended feel of "GTA" by having heavily scripted missions, yet the story and production are head and shoulders above "GTA’s."

Will Roogoo Attack! set the world on fire with its stellar visuals? Let's remember that this is a DS game. Will it revolutionize the puzzle genre? No, but it's got a few fun bits that others could easily implement into their titles. Is it a solid, fun little game for $20 that will keep you coming back? Yes, and never forget: That's the most important quality of all.

All told, Pipe Mania for the PlayStation 2 is an excellent example of what companies should do to revive old games.

Legasista is a surprisingly good dungeon-crawling action RPG.

Ultimately, Siege of Centauri is fine. Its mechanics are solid enough, it does everything else decently on-screen, and the pyrotechnics are spectacular to see. It just doesn't feel like anything special, from the abilities to the story to the units to the towers. It's the kind of game that you wouldn't mind playing but won't rush out to buy immediately, making this difficult to recommend unless you devour every game in the tower defense genre.

Super Mega Space Blaster Special Turbo is a surprisingly good game. The title is designed to be difficult and played in short bursts, but along with the challenges and unlockables, it has addictive qualities that beg for just one more round to be played. The versus modes are nice, but the co-op option in every mode makes this attractive for a system that's seemingly designed for two players. While by no means a presentation powerhouse, the gameplay in SMSBST is solid enough to be worth a look, especially at its normal low price of $4.99.

I always find a message within the selection of the Madden cover athlete, and in the picks of Tom Brady (arguably the greatest quarterback of all time) and Patrick Mahomes (arguably the most naturally gifted QB of all time), the message felt like a dual nod to Madden's age and enduring legacy as well as the promise of a bright future. However, even with the new stuff, I can't shake the sense of sameness in the experience of Madden NFL 22. The love of football keeps me playing, but there were no moments that made me think, "OK, we are in the next generation." That holds the series back while other games have passed it by. It looks like another year where "the leap" will have to wait — if it ever comes at all.

Pecaminosa is great for the genre, pulling in so many elements from some great titles and tying them all up nicely with the pixel art, noir-centric theme. The music might be the best part of this game, but I could be biased. The dialogue and clever unfolding of the story, which is laid out in such a way that you need to follow the breadcrumbs and explore to your heart's content, was witty and undeniably funny at times. For a game that you can easily enjoy over a weekend, casually interrogating tough guys and evading mobsters' heavy blows, it's well worth the price tag of $12.

Tunche isn't for everyone. Traditional beat-'em-up fans will like the frantic action of the combo system, even if it takes a few runs to get going, but they'll hate the lack of forward progression. Roguelike fans will enjoy the gradual character empowerment but hate the lack of randomization of bosses and enemies. It falls into a specific niche that appeases people who enjoy the minimal mixing of both, and in that respect, Tunche delivers an experience that can be enjoyable if you know what you're getting into.

Impaler is a fun game if you know what you're getting into. It's a simple enough arena shooter that plays fast and is short enough to ensure that you can squeeze in multiple runs in a short play session. The need to kill airborne enemies with a stomp can put a damper on things, but the rest of the gameplay is solid. Impaler is priced at $2.99, so it's worth a look for shooting fans who want a quick fix.

Fans of the promotion and wrestling games in general will find themselves partially satisfied with AEW: Fight Forever. The flaws are noticeable, such as the truncated introductions, limited arenas, and a smaller roster compared to the competition. The presence of creative tools gets hampered by the lack of a built-in way to share them, and the absence/trimming of match types can feel off. While the story mode is goofy in several ways, it is the strength of the wrestling engine that keeps the game fun to play, match after match. If the rumors are true, then this good game can get much better with patches and downloadable content for years to come. Otherwise, if this potential series follows a more traditional development cycle, this title is a very good base to work with for a hopefully more ambitious and meatier sequel.

Senran Kagura: Estival Versus is both extremely cheesy and loads of fun.

All in all… this one’s mostly harmless, and could surprise you. Go ahead and give it a shot.

As stated before, We Ski's biggest draw, and also its biggest fault, is sacrificing skill for accessibility.

While the main game still plays like Madden, hardcore players are going to be upset at the overall lack of improvement in Madden '09.

The way the missions unfold within the VR exercise really gives you a sense that you're playing a game that isn't Fallout, yet it's using the exact same engine.

It is far less physically exerting than DDR, In The Groove! or Taiko Drum Master, allowing an audience who can't necessarily get up and flail wildly about to get their groove on.

Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is fine. The core game mechanics may feel outdated for new players, but those who have played the original entry on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive will appreciate how the game hasn't deviated from that blueprint. The presentation is fine in parts, but the game offers no incentives to keep playing once you finish it. Those with a fondness for the original will love this, but those with no memories of the game will find this to be lacking compared to the remake of Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap and the last sequel, Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom.

Mostly, The Simpsons Arcade Game is a phoned-in port. With so many companies generating improved remakes and ports, it's sad to see that Revolution has chosen to run something so simplistic for a game that hasn't aged very well.

I'd urge you to pick it up for a different platform if you have the means to do so. It's a very competent pinball title on every other system, but something has fallen apart in its transition to the 3DS. If you can get past these flaws, you'll probably have a good time with it, but I can't, knowing that this content exists in a better form elsewhere.

Destroy All Humans! 2 - Reprobed will appeal to fans of the original and a more niche audience that craves destruction without caring that the plot isn't too cohesive. Others who will be aficionados are players who like mayhem on foot rather than from a flying saucer and appreciate gameplay improvements, even if they make the title much easier. It's a fun experience for everyone who's willing to check it out, especially with the title's relatively low price point compared to many other PS5 games.