Given the lack of quality motion titles and siminicol games (part simulation, part mini-game and part collecting), Help Wanted is a nice addition to one's game collection.

In the end, Jet Kave Adventures is fine. It looks nice and does the basics well enough that you won't get frustrated by mistimed jumps or falling off ledges. The gameplay fails to bring about any excitement in the back half, while the many mechanics designed to make this easier make it perfect for kids but not anyone who is considered fluent in the genre. It isn't a terrible game by any means, but you can tackle a few other, better platformers before trying this one.

The generic tracks and emphasis on controlled racing really drains the excitement out of the title, making it a hard sell to any but the most hardcore of tuner fans.

This is one of Bandai's better Gundam efforts ever, but it still doesn't play like a full-featured, real Japanese RPG. Let's hope for a sequel, I guess.

It doesn't perfectly replicate the poker experience enough to immerse you in the game, but if you are a poker fan, WCP2 should definitely be a title to consider, with its 14 different variants, online capability, and decent replay value.

Away: Shuffle Dungeon for the NDS is fun, but not much else. It grows repetitive and lacks replay value, and the game is short enough that it is difficult to recommend over longer and better games on the same system.

A fantastic and deep experience on the Nintendo DS. The only major downsides of the game are the difficulty, the average sound, and the fact that there's some graphical pop in while racing.

Instead of fleshing out the most gore-filled and evil FPS series yet made, Mindware has instead managed to flog a dead horse. As a final insult, this is the most poorly performing version of Painkiller yet; it loads more slowly now than ever before, even with my updated hardware.

When all is said and done, Narnia for the DS isn't a bad game, there's just little outstanding about it.

Even if you already have the Zuma games, Sparkle 2 is worth getting for match-three puzzle game fans.

Choplifter HD is a good - but not great - update to a real classic.

It uses the DS's unique control system in a way which we can only hope is emulated in other games.

Rio is a solid minigame compilation for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The minigames prove to be fun for younger audiences, and the look and sound of the title reflect the movie quite nicely. The minigames aren't all that varied, though, so you'll get a sense of déjà vu after a while.

Your enjoyment of Metal Wolf Chaos XD is dependent on your tolerance for old game design and cheesy dialog. The lack of checkpoints and auto-saving during missions is going to hurt once you're in the back half of the game. Its humor is also hit-and-miss, depending on whether you take it seriously. Its absurdity pairs nicely with some solid gameplay mechanics, and it has enough of that conviction to make you overlook the flaws and give the game a fair shake. For action fans who aren't too picky, Metal Wolf Chaos XD is worth checking out.

Deliver at All Costs is a wild ride for a variety of reasons. The difference in tone between the story and the missions creates a strange, disconnected experience that makes the game more intriguing than off-putting. The gameplay is solid, with the mission forgiveness and leeway for creating mayhem being the real highlights. The extreme destructibility is simply an added bonus. The presentation may be a tad flawed in places, but it's still good enough to make this a pleasant experience, especially since the game doesn't last so long that the concept starts to feel stale. Deliver at All Costs is a fun game overall, and it's well worth checking out for those looking for something a bit quirky in their sandbox experiences.

Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Reborn is rather unexceptional. It improves over the previous games in a number of ways, but not every change is for the better.

Overall, I'm not sure that I'd suggest Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – Autobots to anyone other than die-hard Transformer fans, even though it really doesn't do the franchise any justice.

Were Spyborgs an actual cartoon, I would probably have been a little more merciful; it produces a licensed game feel, complete with the assumption that players could look up the story basics if they didn't know them. Unfortunately, without actual source material to benefit from, it has an uncomfortably messy plot without enough explanation.

Gear.Club Unlimited is an all-around simple affair. Almost all of the races are short, which is complemented by the very lengthy campaign. The racing is purely arcade in style, and it's more exciting when playing against others instead of against the passive AI. It may not look like a AAA title, but the performance holds up well, and the sense of speed feels right. While not the greatest representation of what a traditional racing game on the Switch should be, Gear.Club Unlimited will hopefully serve as a catalyst to bring more racing titles to the Switch.

Having reviewed multiple compilations, I find that Atari Classics Evolved definitely stands out as one of the best in quite some time. The care taken in presentation and adaptation to a portable format is impressive, with only minor flaws to hold it back.

Like all of the HD remakes that have come out in the past few years, Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD Collection is meant to capitalize on the nostalgia from older players who want their favorites on a current system, with the appropriate care taken during the transition. In a way, it works.

Conduit 2 isn't a revolutionary shooter by any means. The plot is cookie-cutter, the graphics and sound design are good but not exactly eye- or ear-popping, and the campaign doesn't present a plethora of new features. The experience is still enjoyable, especially the multiplayer portion and its robust gameplay options. The game still shows a willingness to experiment with a few new guns and modes, and those who love finding bonus material will find a bevy of them here. It's a familiar but solid shooter that Wii owners will appreciate with open arms.

At its core, Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast remains a good title. Get past the shooting, and you're rewarded with a ton of Force powers and lightsaber combat that remains at the top of its field to this day. However, the port job isn't up to snuff, as it lacks some slight auto-aim and lock-on to make the experience more user-friendly for console players, so the opening levels are a real chore to get through even if you can handle the outdated textures and adherence to the old way of doing puzzles. Not only is it recommended to go with the PC release for this title, but it also gives one pause about how the eventual port job of Jedi Academy will turn out.

Despite these problems, the one thing that stands out in this game is that it stayed true to the Mission Impossible name, making it almost seem as if we were watching the movie.

In the end, theHunter: Call of the Wild is a more defined niche game in what is already a niche category. There isn't much appeal for hunting games to begin with, and an even smaller group wants a hunting simulator, especially when there is already a free-to-play version. However, this is a game that requires patience for both the hunting process and the bugs that come along with it. If you can live with that, and you're lucky enough to get a friend or two to join in, then you'll find the game to be a good time. Otherwise, try out the free-to-play version to see if this pacing is right for you.

Altogether, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is not a great game, but it's decent enough to be playable, and I can see the charm that younger fans of the franchise will enjoy.

Perhaps the most damning criticism of Worms: A Space Oddity is that, aside from the motion controls, it's the exact same thing that you've already played a hundred times before.

Phantasy Star Portable is a very interesting entry to the PSP RPG library due to the heavier focus on action. In this regard, it's more like the Monster Hunter series, since the emphasis is on raiding and multiplayer.

he open world remains impressive but less so when there's barely anything fun to do. Although it's designed for constant online play, good luck trying to find someone who stays long enough for you to engage with, let alone someone who can witness the sweet decal job on your vehicle. It may get better in a year's time, but for now, The Crew 2 is more of a chore than an enjoyable experience.

Fans of the iconic sci-fi creatures will be pleased to see a good game in this series once again, while FPS action fans will also find themselves enjoying this one, despite the few hiccups it may have.

With a large cast of warriors and a diverting map system, character-building and charm-casting effectively replace storytelling to encourage continued combat, even if a slow-to-react camera and under-decorated environments make it a less-than-perfect execution of the huge-clashing-armies formula.

Unfortunately, it brings little to the table beyond sheer speed and smacks soundly of the "battle" mode we spent many a day playing back in the Sonic The Hedgehog 2 era.

I wouldn't classify this as a must-play title, but if you're starved for a Trials HD experience on a non-Microsoft platform, Urban Trial Freestyle does just enough to do the trick.

If you're looking for a simple adventure game based on an enjoyable license, you'll probably enjoy this one.

The story may not be good enough to be considered a mainstream option, but for the JRPG community and SAO fans, there is an extreme amount of fun to be had here. If you've played the previous games, Fatal Bullet is an overall improvement and a step up.

The Impossible Game is still as fun as it used to be, and most of that is due to some solid, infuriating platforming.

Even if you aren't a big fan of the instantly respawning enemies, the gameplay in Super Rad Raygun hits enough of the classic beats to make it a dead ringer for some of the titles from decades ago. The battery-swapping mechanic gives the game a little depth. The Game Boy-inspired graphical style is cute, and the rest of the presentation is absolutely solid. Super Rad Raygun is a title that's worth checking out, especially if you're a big fan of retro-style games.

Overall, Farming Simulator 19 plays well and effectively puts you in the shoes of a farmer. Many use games as sort of escapism, to become something fantastical, powerful, to overcome evil, etc. Farming Simulator serves the same general purpose, only in a more realistic and tangible way by sating our curiosity about a profession that many of us will never know.

No matter how shiny the car's wheels, no matter how diligently you clean out the ashtray and how often you wash the exterior, it's just a big lump of metal unless you've got the engine running smoothly, and Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars fails in that regard.

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.

Chronicles of Mystery: Tree of Life is one of City Interactive's better efforts to date. For adventure fans, Sylvie's continuing escapades are certainly worth checking out.

Tekken 3D Prime Edition gets its points from its well-done console-to-handheld translation and its absolutely gorgeous visuals. However, with half of the game missing in action, I just can't recommend this in good conscience. If you really need some current-edition Tekken on the go, then at least wait for a price drop.

Just satisfactory. Hero mode is a nice distraction from the redundant campaigns, but everything in the game lacks sufficient depth.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time was clearly made for the DS, and on the DS is where it should have stayed.

Overall, God of War: Sons of Sparta is a fun Metroidvania. It captures the feel of God of War, if in a somewhat more lighthearted way than usual. As a Metroidvania title, there's not much — either good or bad — that makes it stand apart from the pack. If you're a fan of the franchise and don't mind a look at the younger days of the Ghost of Sparta, then it's absolutely worth a shot, but the price tag might make it a heavy ask for more casual Metroidvania fans.

Mastering each character will take some time, but that just adds to the game's replay value. Nothing can be more satisfying than beating the socks off of a friend so I strongly suggest picking up this one.

On purpose or not, it's that unbalancing sensation of being a bit lost and of being put in jeopardy by superpower machinations you don't quite understand, that makes Operation Flashpoint: Elite worth a sliver of attention despite its age.

There isn't anything special about it that "Alundra," "Shining Soul II," and a great number of other games haven't done before it.

Definitely check it out if you're a fan of Puzzle Quest but felt a bit burned out by Galactrix, as this game is a huge improvement over the previous follow-up.

It's got all the ingredients for a successful hack-and-slash, but falls short in enough areas to discredit itself to all but hardcore fans of the genre.

In the end, F1 Race Stars is a decent kart racing title. The genre basics are here, with some good track design and a goofy vibe. The presentation is cheery enough, and the effort put forth into making a standard kart racer a bit more technical and involving is commendable. However, the lack of track variety hurts, as does the bland weapon payload, and there isn't much to make the experience memorable. If you're an F1 fan who wants something more accessible, this is a good start. If you're a kart racing fan, however, there are a few other titles you could play instead.

Its fun for a while, but doesn't exhibit staying power. The game designers capitalized on the game's lore, but could've done better in that department if they had chosen a different race to focus on.

My Hero Academia: All's Justice is a game where every advancement comes with some regression, locking the game in place rather than moving things forward. The use of fully animated cut scenes is a long time coming, but the inclusion of still shots remains disappointing. The expansion of modes is good, but the presence of a hub world as a replacement for a menu can feel unnecessary. The move to a full 3v3 fighting system is awesome, but the severe reduction of environments and removal of their interactivity robs the game of some spectacle that the series had been known for up to that point. In the end, the game is still good, but it's best as a complementary game to My Hero One's Justice 2 rather than a replacement.

Windbound looked to be a great many things, but it turned out to be a standard survival-roguelike crossover with some promising areas that never reached their full potential. An overly cruel death mechanic and repeating vistas are what ultimately drag down an otherwise solid and partially fun survival game. With the right expectations, Windbound is a solid offering that doesn't stray too far from its survival core.

There isn't much here for Earth Defense Force 2025 players, especially since it doesn't include the three previously released DLC packs, but new players will fall in love with this title almost immediately.

With frustrating, glitchy gameplay, lackluster and boring graphics, and perhaps the least likable cast in video game history, it's difficult to recommend Kane & Lynch over the many similar, but better titles currently on the market. Even a unique multiplayer mode does little to salvage the title, and the lack of online co-op shoots its biggest feature in the foot.

With its pick-up-and-play controls, intense combat sequences and surprisingly nice visuals, Attack on Pearl Harbor achieves its goal of providing relatively simplistic and fun gameplay.

Although skeptical at first, I was slowly won over by the gameplay in The Sims 2: Castaway. The goal-oriented structure helps maintain the momentum of an otherwise open-ended situation.

Basically, I went from looking forward to checking out Commando: Steel Disaster based on the screenshots I had seen, to wishing I hadn't wasted the hours on it.

It's not as common as it should be for a game to clearly have a unified vision, but Project Sylpheed: Arc of Deception does exactly one thing, and does it well: hectic true-3D space combat that makes you feel like a Gundam pilot better than most Gundam games do.

Essentially, Ratatouille would be a perfect purchase for somebody fitting any two of these criteria: a young child, somebody relatively unskilled at gaming or a huge fan of the film on which the game is based.

All in all, SpongeBob Atlantis Squarepantis is a decent enough kids' title on the DS, with platforming elements that work well, but it hardly does anything to push the genre forward.

Overall, it's a very worthwhile package and one that you won't regret picking up.

A mediocre game, through and through.

A few camera and sound issues aside, The Delusions of Von Sottendorff and His Square Mind is a pretty enjoyable puzzle platforming romp.

When the dust finally settles — and hopefully the dust isn't the charred remains of a loved one's heart — Damsel has something to offer to a very specific type of player. The story leaves something to be desired, the levels can feel tedious and repetitive, the music can come off as having a little tunnel vision, but the basis of the game is incredibly solid. The platforming feels good, busting through hordes of enemies is satisfying, the controls are incredibly solid, and the art style is both macabre and peppy! While the title can simultaneously feel cluttered (large number of different tasks) and tedious (gameplay lacks variety), one could easily see this being ideal for someone who's incredibly goal-oriented and has a laser focus on details — perhaps speed-running fans. For the average Joe Schmo, it may make you feel as if your life forces are slowly being drained away. (Check your necks, people!)

Foreclosed is an interesting idea that doesn't lean hard enough into its premise to succeed. The neat comic book styling and intriguing "identity theft made law" neo-noir setting give a strong first impression, but the core gameplay is tedious enough that it becomes a chore to get through to reach the more interesting bits. In the end, it feels like it squanders its potential, especially when it all but begs comparisons to similar games that offer the same ideas but are executed better.

Ultimately, Star Trek: Legacy is remindful of the story of the Enterprise herself — a pristine, well-manned, well-intentioned vessel that sets out to break new ground for gaming but ultimately encounters strange nebulae and forces that disable her systems from time to time.

Like any of the Mario sports games, Mario Sports Mix is best enjoyed with friends.

If you're a One Piece fan or someone looking for something just a little different from your standard Dynasty Warriors title, One Piece: Pirate Warriors gets a heavy recommendation. Just keep in mind that "different" is the key word, for both better and worse. Your money buys a whole lot of content, so it won't be wasted. The Main Log, while mostly enjoyable, takes a bit of patience, but the other modes are worth the price of admission all by themselves.

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is far from being a title that the mainstream crowd could easily pick up and play. Technical aspects, like the wonky camera and uninviting controls, can be overcome with time, but the camera system and lack of any direction are enough to turn off most people. Stick with it through multiple restarts, however, and you'll discover a title that has loads of fulfilling moments and deep characters you'll get attached to, despite a lack of understandable speech. Games have rarely done something like this, and that fact is amplified when you look at the scope this is trying to cover. If you're looking for a survival title that feels different and distinct, give Ancestors a look.

Hot Brain is a nice departure from the usual reflex games that you'd most likely be playing on your PSP. Although the puzzle tests are timed, the game's presentation is light-hearted and not intimidating to play.

Dusty Revenge has lots of potential and looks very eye-catching. The combat system is satisfying enough despite some cheap enemy tactics, and the boss fights are quite good.

Danger Zone is a good game if you can appreciate its simplicity. The sparse setting and presentation aside, the puzzle element is a fantastic spin for the game, and it's hard to deny the satisfaction of crashing into tons of vehicles. It also helps that the game's addictive nature and leaderboard presence can inspire multiple runs even after everything is unlocked. For fans of a title that's easy to pick up and quick to play, Danger Zone is worth checking out.

It has the right mix of components to make a great fighting game, and it's a fantastic addition to the Naruto canonical plot. The action is fast-paced, the control system is intuitive, and the presentation is engrossing.

As a stand-alone title, Knowledge is Power: Decades is fine. The mechanics taken from the first game still hold up well enough, and the small improvements give the game some more depth, such as the ability to remove power-ups and the new modes that remove trivia questions or challenge rounds. The easy and straightforward questions and the small selection of available decades make this feel like it should be DLC instead of a full-fledged game. Decades is a better purchase if you didn't pick up the first game, as owners of that are better off waiting for a big sale before adding this to the rotation.

Xenon Racer is made for those who have laser focus and dedication to nailing every detail. The sleek design and flow of the game are constantly disrupted by either the constant destruction of your own car or the jerky stop-and-go you must embrace to make tight turns, which are a necessity. It's certainly playable, but it's vexing and not recommended for the casual player. While the visuals shine in some respects, as a whole, they don't muster much more than a passing glance and a shrug. The game plays with ideas from the racing genre, but nothing quite sticks to make it a memorable experience. It's difficult to recommend to anyone who isn't interested in racing games. While it starts off strong, Xenon Racer ends up flatly spinning out (and probably slamming into the wall).

Wild Arms XF is a title that picks up on one of the major weak points of the genre and improves upon it in a welcome stroke, but seems to favor an increase in difficulty simply for difficulty's sake and has a nasty habit of halfway playing the game for you.

Murder in the Abbey shines due to its unique graphics, stirring soundtrack, and the care given in telling its somewhat-familiar story. The clunky gameplay has too many problems to make it feel as if it were worth the effort, though, even with the occasional fun moments that manage to creep in.

Overall, We Cheer 2 is a fun rhythm game.

There is so much to enjoy about the title that one can overlook the various combat blunders and need of day-one patches. Having received early access to the title for this review, The Sinking City has some optimization bugs to work out, but that doesn't impact the quality of the title (in the digital age, everything gets a day-one patch anyway). Despite these shortcomings, the title is a must-play for fans of detective thrillers, puzzle-solving, and cosmic horror. Dive into The Sinking City and welcome our Cthulhu overlords with open arms.

Picture a Sonic game that struggles to go at 30 frames per second, in an age where even the Dreamcast didn't do Sonic that injustice. Sometimes it's like playing a slideshow on fast-forward. It's impossible to be precise with one's movements, or sometimes to even see where the characters are going. Not fun at all.

I'm willing to forgive quite a bit for a budget title as long as there is some redeeming quality to the gameplay. Sadly, since the graphic engine inhibits performance so much and doesn't allow you to experience the feeling of speed you'd expect, it's hard to get excited about this game.

At the end of the day, it's a fighting game in a crowded sea of them - and a niche one at that.

The one saving grace is that in spite of all these shortcomings, if you've never played Sid Meier's Pirates! before and only own a Wii console, then this is a title you absolutely must own.

There's just something disturbing in seeing a game that is part of such a storied and influential franchise sacrifice so much to rush headlong into the social sphere. Perhaps the bugs and shortcomings will be resolved in a few weeks, but until then, SimCity's hidden requirement of additional patience still applies.

The premise is solid, but the game relies too much on chance and trial and error, so it's hard to recommend this title to anyone but masochists and those who are hell-bent on experiencing the story — no matter what.

Something with Samurai Legend’s promise and retro appeal doesn’t come along too often, and seeing it developed more fully in a longer game would result in one of the best action RPGs ever.

WALL-E for the PSP was never going to reach for the stars, but it presents an interesting addition to the movie, especially for younger gamers.

Restaurant Empire II's biggest failing is that it missed the opportunity to iron out some of the major flaws from the first game, including buggy AI, sometimes-clunky interface and less-than-impressive graphics.

Overall, Boulder Dash: 30th Anniversary Edition is a flawed but fun experience. The base game still runs on a good formula, the challenge is great, and the curve isn't too punishing. The addition of power-ups changes things up a bit, and level creation is a nice addition to a game that's already packed with over 200 stages. However, the presentation feels flat, and the grind can be enough of a deterrent for those wanting to actually complete the game. It's worth checking out, but mostly if you can wait for a sale on it.

Moero Chronicle has moments of being a decent dungeon crawler for those new to the genre. The basic mechanics are done well, and the idea of collecting monster girls as party members makes gameplay more interesting. However, the act of taming the girls is difficult enough that your interest will fade even if the humor is appealing. Until some of the issues get fixed, it's difficult to recommend this title.

Sure, the gameplay and story can be a little slow, and the narration is somewhat gauche and not well mixed, but these are minor issues in an otherwise intriguing, original game that shows the potential of human helplessness in a visceral and highly informative way. Narcosis is a mystery that plays on how little we know about our own world, as the game aggressively reminds us with elements of supernatural terror.

Ultimately, Star Soldier R is an excellent little game if you're a shooter fan and a high score junkie who sorely misses the 16-bit era and its corresponding 2-D style of play. Make no mistake, this is a game with somewhat limited appeal, and if you're not in the target audience, it's likely to register a pretty quick "meh" and get passed over for something new.

All in all, Accel World vs. Sword Art Online is a decent game comprised of both good and bad elements. The combat is fun and engaging when the camera doesn't battle you, but some enemies don't seem to have any fighting spirit. On the other hand, boss battles feel epic and test your preparation and patience, and multiplayer is a nice addition that offers a chance to battle friends or strangers. Players who can get past the empty-feeling world and underachieving story will find enjoyment in this title.

It's highly unlikely you'll be able to find a steady group for the title's very formulaic multiplayer, and the single-player campaign can be completed in less than six hours on the normal difficulty setting.

For the most part, Redeemer succeeds in delivering an action-packed beat-'em-up experience. Unless players are facing bosses or enemies who are immune to regular attacks, the combat is fast and visceral. The overall game length is good, and although some of the mechanics can be inconsistent, there's enough here to make the experience worthwhile.

The graphics are good, but the slowdown hampers the gameplay too often. Besides that, everything is so repetitive that it makes the game a bit of a pain to play through after a short time.