All in all, Shantae and the Seven Sirens is a well-made and enjoyable addition to the franchise. The gameplay is stronger than ever, and it retains pretty much everything the series was known for, both good and bad. The only thing that makes it difficult to recommend is the low difficulty level, but if you don't mind an easy time, then it will do the job nicely. Wayforward has shown increasing confidence and capabilities with each passing Shantae game, and Seven Sirens gives me a lot of hope for its next one.

If you liked the first game, it's pretty hard not to like the second, but if you didn't care for the original, not much here will change your mind.

A fun, good-looking game that challenges all comers, and still isn't as sickeningly masochistic as, say, "Contra: Shattered Soldier."

Valfaris is solid. The pacing is great, and with the exception of the back half, the difficulty curve isn't too bad. The juggling of weapons in relation to their balance is well done, and the constant boss fights are a fulfilling challenge once you overcome each foe. Provided you enjoy the Nintendo-hard games of the past, Valfaris is well worth checking out.

Art of Rally is a racing game for those who want something different. The more playful nature is a nice contrast to the title's simulation-style handling and physics. There are plenty of cars, liveries, and tracks to unlock, and the online play keeps things fresh thanks to the system of weekly and daily challenges. Unless you only want serious racing games, genre fans will love Art of Rally.

Pinball FX VR is a solid pinball game for enthusiasts who want the facsimile of an arcade experience. The idea of building out a virtual pinball arcade experience in your home is neat, but the game thrives on nailing down an overall pinball experience that's close to real life. The only question is whether Zen will follow through to make this into a platform instead of another one-off game, but those who aren't hung up on that debate will find this to be a good addition to their VR game library.

There are some technical problems and crash bugs that need ironed out (especially for ATI users, from the sound of it), and the feel and responsiveness of the controls could have been better. The AI is lacking, but those special slow-motion moments when you score a particularly nasty headshot or a grenade blows a guy into thirds are rewarding and add to the cinematic feel.

Rare has done a great job of revamping the gameplay in order to provide a fresh experience while still preserving the core elements that made Banjo and Kazooie a hit in the first place.

For something a little more lighthearted than what you'd get from the mainline series, Monster Hunter Stories is quite good. The change to a more Pokémon-style RPG system works, and the improvements over Nintendo's series makes it stand out in a positive way. The improvements in the presentation are very welcome, and while the story is fine, the pacing of the gameplay makes the game easy to pick up and understand without much fuss. It's a solid game that should be experienced by both light RPG and Monster Hunter fans alike.

The $50 price tag might seem somewhat high for a game that takes one idea, tweaks it a bit, and calls it a whole new play function. However, when one takes into consideration the extensive replay value that the multiplayer functionality brings to the table, that price point seems less intimidating.

The career mode is excellent, and the overall presentation is well done. The fighting engine is solid, though there are a few odd mechanical choices in play, and the career mode is very deep and time-consuming in a good way.

Scribblenauts can easily fill in the blanks as one of the most unique gaming experiences that anyone can have this year.

The new fighting system makes you more excited than anything currently going on in the actual NHL.

The Walking Dead: Episode 1 - A New Day is a fine example for what can be accomplished in the adventure genre. The story provides a great introduction to the world and merges well with both the comic and TV show.

While there are a few stability issues, it's nothing that can't be fixed, and the gorgeous effects of the game outweigh the small bugs.

Simply put, Dead or Alive: Dimensions is another excellent fighting game for the young 3DS handheld console.

At less than ten hours in length, Lost Planet: Extreme Condition feels a bit brief, but the frenetic action makes up for the vapid storyline and slightly sluggish feel.

It really is a well-realized effort and serves a suitable replacement to the home experience. I'd highly suggest checking it out; it's certainly high on my list of Vita games that are worth owning.

Dishonored: The Knife of Dunwall is an example of how to do story-based DLC correctly.

In the end, Rock Band 4 offers up plenty of fun, especially if you can regularly gather a group of friends. It's an excellent party game and an enjoyable way to pass the time solo. However, it isn't really an upgrade from Rock Band 3. Rather, Rock Band 4 is more like a straightforward HD update for the current generation of systems.

Straddling the line between art piece and puzzle game, LEGO Builder's Journey is an experience that focuses on the creativity of play above all else. Kids or adults, Builder's Journey is something that anyone can play. Everyone who does play will take away a slightly different experience.

The graphics are amazing and definitely deserve special recognition, as does the sound. The multiplayer seems a bit slow at times, but taken with the pros and cons, the pros definitely win out in this game.

Oh yes. Also, you can install this game, put the CD away, and run it without the CD in the drive. Thank you very much, developers. With companies bending over backward to install broken copy protection schemes left and right, the lack thereof is refreshing.

If you have even a passing interest in the puzzle genre, then this is a title you need to pick up and appreciate.

Eternal Sonata is a beautiful game. It has excellent music, a reasonably well done dub and a curious and interesting setting. This doesn't change the fact that it is far too easy.

Was it everything I'd hoped it would be? Nope. Was it everything I know it can be? Nope. Have I been able to put it down since I got it? Not a chance.

If you're a fan of Mega Man or want to catch up on the series, Mega Man Legacy Collection 1+2 is your chance to do so on a portable system, making this perhaps one of its best incarnations.

The Ninja Warriors: Return of the Warriors is for those who love classic arcade or console games. Those players are fine with titles being a bit short, since the replayability comes through in getting better with the game or replaying with friends in tow. It certainly helps that everything from the expanded move set to the character differences and presentation is top-tier, 16-bit stuff and rather straightforward, except for the final boss. As long as you're coming in with a mindset of defeating the game more than once, you'll have a great time with this low-key classic.