When the burning plume of smoke from the last battle clears, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin's fan service delivers plenty of reasons to sign on with Armacham's best.

Those who frustrate easily should avoid this title unless they really want to risk damaging their GamePads, but for those who love a good challenge, this title is worth checking out.

A sterling example of how sports games can be deep without being overly complicated and how realism doesn't necessarily trump goofiness, as long as what you're making is fun.

Though the gameplay is still saddled with recurring issues, the next-gen visual enhancements make the game much more atmospheric than any previous hardball sim.

The fact that it's simplistic means that it's easy to jump into and have fun with, and the length of the game is just right - not too long to make the experience a bore, but not so short that you felt cheated of your money.

Atelier Rorona Plus is a great introduction to the franchise for beginners in terms of plot and mechanics. It might not be the best of the Atelier titles, but it's still a big improvement over the PS3 original.

With Super Mega Baseball 4, Metalhead has another solid baseball title on its hands. The existing modes get enough overall improvements to make them worthwhile, while Shuffle Draft keeps things fresh for a long time. The introduction of pros is awesome, but the game did well to not forget the originals, while the gameplay remains rock solid. Baseball fans of all types who aren't hung up on only playing with the current pros will enjoy this title.

The game barely clocks in at five hours, and there's not much to do after that.

Despite some of these nitpicks, N+ for the PSP is still as great a game as it ever was on XBLA or the Internet. While the formula is getting a bit passé, the physics and levels are still as sharp and tightly constructed as ever, even if the sound is repetitive and the multiplayer modes are inaccessible to most.

The Metronomicon is a game for those who want their rhythm games to be a little different. Though the story is inconsequential, the various RPG elements spice up an otherwise nice twist on the standard rhythm game formula. The different modes give the game some legs, while the soundtrack is absolutely fantastic. Despite a few flaws here and there, The Metronomicon is certainly recommended for rhythm fans.

PES has the core experience down, and football purists shouldn't miss a re-creation of the beautiful game as well as it's done here. Unfortunately, everything surrounding the gameplay needs more work before PES can vie for the football gaming crown again.

Sonic X Shadow Generations is a fine game overall. Sonic Generations still holds up quite well after all this time, even if the additions feel slightly shoehorned, while Shadow Generations represents a refinement of the formula with a few additions that don't detract from the main game. For Switch 2 owners who never got this game before, this is a great version to get. However, for those who already have the game on the original Switch, the frame rate and resolution boosts aren't enough to ask for full price on the game and DLC again. Those in that situation can deduct a few points from the review's final score.

Although it's light on actual games for the price, the Blizzard Arcade Collection shows off an intense amount of love for the included games. While the creation of the definitive editions of these games is welcome and the result does a great job of matching it up with modern standards, the inclusion of the different console editions is a great forward-thinking move for game preservation. The inclusion of lots of supplementary material is excellent for those who are interested in the history of these titles, and the games stand the test of time rather well. It also helps that the titles remain fun even today. Whether you're discovering these games for the first time or want to play them again, this is a compilation that's worth checking out.

If you didn't pick up F1 Manager 2022 but enjoy the idea of a game where you call the shots for a Formula 1 team, F1 Manager 2023 is in a very favorable position for your consideration. It makes strong use of its status as an official Formula 1 game and is ultimately a strong simulation game. The new features don't differentiate the new game too much from the old title. More than anything, the new game needs further refinement of the features it already has, along with enhanced feedback to the player over what the feature impacts can be. The game is far from a bad ride, but it's mighty similar to the one that we just had.

There's a lot to see in Rune Factory: Frontier, and while the premise might sound a bit boring, it's well worth taking a look at.

Skies of Fury DX is a very simple but very enjoyable arcade shooter. The campaign is long, but the missions are short enough that they can be enjoyed in bursts, while the progression system gives you enough reason to keep coming back. Controls and presentation are good, and despite the issues in some areas, the core is enough to provide an overall fun experience. Skies of Fury DX is a pleasant surprise that's well worth checking out.

EA Sports UFC 2 is a perfect example of how to capitalize on a mostly solid start. Even though it could still use additional improvements, the fighting system remains solid, and the tweaks make it more accessible to those who aren't well versed in fighting games.

Mirror's Edge is a shining example of when a game concept idea doesn't live up to its idea. The movement controls are solid and the graphics top-notch, but everything else just doesn't work. The level design begins excellent and grows progressively worse. The combat is awkward and tedious, and even as the levels grow less fun, the game throws more and more combat at you, as if hoping to distract you.

As an experience, The Gardens Between is a journey that's well worth embarking on. Its puzzles are gratifying, and its world is gorgeous and filled with personality. Its price may be too step for those looking for a meatier experience, and veteran fans of the genre might wish for tougher puzzles, but those hankering for a small game with a big heart will find plenty to love in The Gardens Between.

There's no real reason to go for Rise and Fall unless you're a huge Civ VI nut who needs more content. The line between expansion and DLC is thin, and Rise and Fall lands right on the line. It's worth buying if you want more Civilization, but casual players may want to wait for a price drop or a meatier expansion.

A great RPG for a next-gen system. It doesn't earn a perfect score because every element of Blue Dragon has been done time and time again.

As a $50 PS2 release, this would have been nearly unacceptable. But 30 for a portable version, that plays as well as this one does, is wonderful. Hopefully the rest of the X games follow.

Proving Ground for the DS is the Tony Hawk series' most respectable effort in quite some time.

Although Madden NFL 12 presents some new AI issues, it resolves many AI failings and gameplay shortcomings that have plagued the franchise for several years.

If you buy Call of Duty games every year, there's no reason to pass on WWII, which is a quality installment in the long-running franchise. The single-player portion was surprisingly good, but with the exception of the new War mode, the multiplayer was not to my liking. The developers wanted the multiplayer to be more rapidly paced, but it lacks balance because the Airborne division is incredibly overpowered. The Nazi Zombies mode is fun, as always. WWII is a good break from the science-fiction mechanics of the past few releases in the series, and it's a worthwhile purchase since you're bound to sink dozens of hours into it.

Moving Out is a joyous experience. The chaos is ever-present, but the chill approach ensures that everyone is having a good time instead of gradually wanting to tear each other apart. The number of levels is just right, and the presentation is appealing. It serves as a perfect complement to other co-op titles and belongs in the library of anyone who enjoys the genre.

Digimon Story Time Stranger is everything I could imagine a Digimon fan wanting. It's a fun adventure through a digital world, and all of your favorite collectible monsters are there for the ride. The combat system is fun and clear-cut, and it has just enough teeth to feel compelling. Customizing and creating your ideal Digimon is a whole lot of fun. The only real negative is that it feels a bit unpolished in places, and you need to have some of fondness for Digimon to get into the game. It's an excellent experience for fans, but perhaps it's one worth waiting until a few patches have rolled out.

Mafia: Definitive Edition is a remarkable reimagining of the original title that flexes its muscles in graphical fidelity and storytelling but falls flat in other areas. While I fully enjoyed my time with it, its mediocre third-person shooting mechanics, abysmal AI, and erratic difficulty can sometimes be a test of perseverance. It is a reminder of the rather old game buried under the shiny new graphical improvements. It is an impressive retelling of an open-world classic, and it exceeded my expectations on that front. Some of its shortcomings are easily overshadowed by what the title does well. If you're a fan of the franchise, this is an easy recommendation, especially given its discounted launch price and the way it re-creates the series' arguably finest entry. On the other hand, if you expect a game that's fully up to today's high standard, Mafia: Definitive Edition may be a tad underwhelming.