Even at a budget price, I'm not sure that I'd recommend Blades of Time. It can be pretty to look at, and there are some decent concepts behind its combat system. It's also a better game than the middling experience provided by X-Blades, but not by much. As a whole, it feels like it could have used far more development time and play testing than it likely received. It's probably worth a rental if you're really curious, but I wouldn't suggest a purchase.

ME3 was a mixed bag for me. In some ways, it comes off as a television or anime series that everyone likes but is forced to put up with the filler episodes for the moments that matter. It offers a confusing conundrum of powerful story elements with an impact that can only be measured against the investment a player has made into the first two games. At the same time, it wraps much of it within uninspired mechanics and an ending that is satisfying on one level while coming up short everywhere else.

Kinect Star Wars is a decent title only if you ignore the myriad of flaws. Had the focus been on themed minigames and if the controls and objectives were tweaked a bit, this would have been a derivative but enjoyable title for casual Kinect fans. Unfortunately, the included minigames don't feel very fleshed out, and the main focus of the game delivers some underwhelming moments due to flaky controls and boring combat.

The Last Story bravely asks those who believe the JRPG genre has nothing left to offer to take another look. Beneath its surface, it bears little resemblance to its peers. At the same time, it's in good company as another entry on one of the most intimidating resumes in the video game business.

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.

PS3 owners should rightly gravitate toward the MLB: The Show franchise, while Xbox owners may as well sit out this year entirely.

In the end, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 is still a force in video game golf. The mechanics are solid, and the changes to the swing system give the game a little more depth, even if it means that veterans have to spend some time to re-learn the system.

Combined with technical aspects that feel like it doesn't use its resources well enough, and you have a title that'll only reach RPG fans who want a little fan service on the side. Still, for those people, it's at least worth a rental if you want something other than the big RPG releases from the last few months.

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City is a fun game that is simply buried under too much to be really great.

If you're coming from the PSP version, you've already seen everything here, and the best thing you can do is hope that this sells well enough to warrant a well-deserved sequel.

Kid Icarus: Uprising is close to being one of Nintendo's best. It is exciting, funny, and packed to the brim with content and style. Unfortunately, it is held back by an awkward control scheme. In order to enjoy Kid Icarus: Uprising, you have to give the game the benefit of the doubt and work with its flaws and foibles until you are comfortable with them.

Even with an upsetting frame rate and poorly implemented combat, Silent Hill: Downpour is the best we've seen in years. I enjoyed Shattered Memories, but that felt more like a slightly interactive story than a video game, whereas Downpour lets you explore Silent Hill in a way that hasn't been seen since Silent Hill 3.

There's little to nothing to really fault the game for, so shooting fans are highly encouraged to pick up Sine Mora on Xbox Live Arcade for 1,200 Microsoft points ($15).

There's no doubt that Zuma's Revenge is a perfect title for the Nintendo DS. The easy-to-learn nature of the title makes it inviting to pick up, and the gradual introduction of more difficult levels gives it an addictive flavor as you're always enticed to push forward.

Even if you found yourself enjoying Gothic 4, I can't suggest that you pick up the expansion, Fall of Setarrif. It's a poorly constructed add-on to a mediocre game.

Some of the more ardent fans of the series might be able to get some enjoyment from the title, but everyone else will be put off and turn elsewhere for their zombie-killing fix.

When you look past that and get to what really matters, actually carving your way down a mountain while pulling off stunts that Shaun White could never even dream of attempting, SSX is an absolute joy. Piling the tricks on top of each other, activating Super Tricky mode, and then nailing a Signature Trick while listening to a remix of Run DMC's "It's Tricky" thump through your speakers basically guarantees that all is forgiven. Welcome back, SSX. You have been sorely missed.

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.

Starpoint Gemini has some great ideas and concepts, but it lacks the budget and vision to really drive home those ideas.

There's nothing really wrong with PokePark 2: Wonders Beyond, but there isn't a lot right with it, either. It is an adorable but mediocre game.

Overall, MLB 12: The Show on the PS Vita shows lots of promise as well as room for improvement

UFC Undisputed 3 stands at the cusp of being the best MMA game currently on the market. The simpler alternate control scheme is a great way to make the game more accessible to casual fans of the sport. The trimmed-down campaign mode is more user-friendly and faster, and the level of customization is excellent. The inclusion of Pride FC gives the title some depth. Some aspects of the fighting, especially the submission system, needs some work, and the current online issues immensely hurt the game. Despite these issues, fans of the sport won't be disappointed with UFC Undisputed 3.

FFXIII-2 earns its score with aplomb, and I'd go so far to call it a sleeper hit. It's a genuinely great-playing game with an imperfect story, though to its credit, it eventually engages and justifies the wait. Its greatest battle now is escaping from the shadow and stigma of its big brother, but you should ignore the anti-hype, take a leap of faith and give it a chance.

Admittedly, Asura's Wrath is not a great game. The combat mechanics are uninspired and the title relies heavily on QTEs to drive the action. However, I'm not entirely sure it's trying to be a pure game so much as it wants to be an interactive experience. That may sound a bit like a cop-out, but I truly believe the interactive elements are there merely to drive the story forward, and in that respect, the game delivers beautifully. Asura's Wrath is a strange bird indeed, throwing in so many disparate elements that all manage to somehow come together and create a compelling, fun experience. This game is weird, but it's weird in the right ways.

Overall, Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 3D feels like another great entry into the series, but it also feels like little more than an upgrade over PES 2011. It's nice to have a portable version, and it doesn't feel like anything was lost in the transition to the 3DS, but if you have access to a home console iteration, that is definitely the better way to go. It would be great to see Konami put more effort into the accessibility of the game for newcomers, but PES 2012 doesn't address that. Hopefully next year, we'll see a more refined and user-friendly PES - but without losing all of these fantastic modes.

If you have a dedicated group of friends who are ready to toss down on some Mario-themed minigames and game board shenanigans, then you're probably good to go with Mario Party 9.

Ram Racing is a decidedly below-average racer that elicits more groans than cheers.

I have a hard time recommending the PC version of Homefront. It's a decent game with a unique take on world events, and its fresh and fun new ideas for two-mode, bot-less, online only multiplayer kept me coming back long after I'd waved adieu to the single-player portion, but the performance and playability on this platform is far eclipsed by the stability found on consoles.