Although it seems likely most people will end up playing the traditional modes, the additions are interesting, and voice chat is worth the price of admission on its own.

It's a shortish ride, and dark -- pitch black, if you like -- but a great one.

The boards look very similar. A few more would've been great, too. All things considered, Metroid Prime Pinball is a fun little game that is great for players 7 to 107.

It is almost unerringly gorgeous and a blast to play, though the combat could have been pushed forward to true "God of War" levels with just a few different options. Even so, this is the best action title going on the PS3 this fall.

With polished online play, great visuals, and the right mix of authenticity and accessibility, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 is a solid package for golf fans. Unfortunately, the insulting shortage of courses on the 360 smarts a bit, and there's not a whole lot new since last year.

Its use of the DS touchscreen is innovative, despite its handful of control issues. Platformers don't always have to be walks in the park, and it's rare to have one challenge you this much mentally.

Black Ops III deserves credit for delivering a wider game than Advanced Warfare (or Black Ops II, for that matter), but it’s not necessarily a deeper one. More meaningful, fundamental changes to how we experience the game were passed over in favor of a maelstrom of strange new ideas. It’s just plain weird...I happen to like weird, though, and Black Ops III does enough to carve out its own identity.

A solid title, featuring a believable and interesting storyline, plenty of missions to work through, and even good graphics. However, it can get very tedious at times, testing the patience of the most tolerant of gamers.

It's realistic, it's chaotic, it's immersive, it's beautiful, but players are going to have to get used to a lot fo trial-and-error gameplay. So it's teeth-grindingly unforgiving at times, but war is, indeed, hell.

Excels in fresh, exciting gameplay, especially when battling or playing cooperatively with friends. The many different courts, characters, and moves should keep you busy for months.

Time of Defiance hardly gets the adrenalin pumping, but there's more to life than quick thrills...Many will find it just as addictive and timeless as Civilization, but with the added frisson of real politics and even deeper strategy.

Arguments of depth aside, it can't be denied that Crimson Skies strikes a great balance between required skill and the effortless "feel" of being a swashbuckling air-hero, all backed up by swelling production values.

The narrative missteps and overly complicated lore intrude on what should have been another shining moment for Master Chief; while it sets up an intriguing future, the campaign is an unqualified disappointment. But even the greatest of heroes stumbles, and Halo 5’s stellar online play is certainly strong enough to pick up the Chief and keep him moving.

Yes, better communication, more content, and deeper story would all be welcome, but that's the default critic's list for almost every game. How many titles offer the chance to become a zombie and munch on former allies?

Those last few major battles will only take five years from your life from battlefield stress syndrome. Six, tops.

Pleasantly enough, Syndicate also takes a big step away from last year’s troubled Assassin’s Creed Unity by removing every whiff of online connected hooey. You’ll no longer be noodged to spend extra money, visit websites, or invite friends to activate missions. This is a solo game, and it’s perfectly content to be one.

Gets the most important element right: it gives gamers a taste of being a stunt driver without losing touch of every game's ultimate goal: high in fun, low in frustration.

A tightly packed game. Despite the AI and graphics issues, it's simply a lot of fun to play, due in large part to the fielder cam and excellent pitching and batting.

By removing some of the arguably cheap content from the game and introducing a couple of new weapons, Resurrection of Evil could be a rebirth for id's thriller.

Stylish, solid, and unique... and on the upper difficulty levels, it's hard as hell. It gives a gothic boost to the first-person shooter genre, and a definite shot in the arm to the criminally underrepresented western video game.

There are just too many buttons in play, and it's terrible when you want to unleash a slap shot from the point but can't remember which triggers and bumpers to use.

The action is swift and challenging, but easy to control.

Empires provides equal portions of action and strategy, and dishes out an adventure that will gleefully eat up huge chunks of players' time.

One of the best hand-held games currently going... If an action-puzzle game with old-school sensibilities sounds like your cup of grog, The Lost Vikings is definitely worth a raid on your local games shoppe.

One thing is assured: Breakdown is a new watermark in player immersion, and it's difficult to see how it will be one-upped any time soon. From start to finish, in sickness and in health, in combat or in exploration, the player experiences the world as though inside it.

If you come to Children of the Nile with a spirit of investigation and if you're willing to learn the nuances of this complex model of ancient life, you'll be richly rewarded with one of the most serene and gratifying city builders since the genre began.

Nightlife makes a challenging game more challenging and an amusing game all the more amusing.

The best tennis game in years...Whether it's rapid-fire one-off matches or a protracted solo mode that floats your boat, the game has you covered with a brilliant mix of rowdiness and realism.

A sensational story-led RPG, giving fans of the role-playing genre just what they need to enjoy the ride it takes you on.

Match-up restrictions aside, Raven Shield is not only a great multiplayer game, but a welcome next step in the Rainbow Six series for gamers that should meet, if not exceed, many of its fans expectations.

If your only complaint about the core game was that it still seemed too quick, too "deathmatchy," then Special Forces is just the reinforcement the Commander ordered.

Wakeboarding Unleashed may have a few rough edges, but it is a franchise that is destined for greatness. Incredibly playable and lots of fun

Not every level in Yoshi’s Woolly World is a winner, and the game suffers in comparison to the absolutely magical Super Mario 3D World, which still easily ranks as the Wii U’s best platformer. But it deftly pulls off the trick of being both stupendously cute and technically well-crafted, appealing to youngsters drawn in by the sweet plush Yoshis and to more skilled gamers looking to challenge their reflexes and item-hunting skills.

An excellent merging of two popular properties, this is one "kiddie" game that you shouldn't overlook just because it has the Disney name stamped on the side.

The likes of "Planetside" and "Unreal Tournament 2004" have stolen some of its thunder, but Vengeance is still unique enough to recommend to any multiplayer shooter fan.

NBA 2K16 is the first time in quite a while I’ve seen the franchise make a serious misstep. Though there’s more than enough NBA goodness here to justify another courtside seat, the disappointing MyCareer mode is impossible to ignore.

Sports not only improved visuals and a fantastic jazzy soundtrack, but the real changes lie in streamlined gameplay and a very different perspective. Unlike the other eight before it, this title follows the events depicted in the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" novel.

While the ground stages don't quite match the rest of the game's quality, there's still something superbly delightful about marching a group of AT-ATs into battle, or commanding a fleet of star destroyers, or chopping up stormtroopers with Obi-Wan Kenobi. Empire at War captures these emotions perfectly, and backs them up with a robust large-scale strategic game and no end of single and multiplayer content.

Its enthusiasm is infectious and irresistible.

Ultimately, Battlefield 2142 is a game for the hardcore player. If you've logged endless hours into Battlefield 2, you're going to love the new class tweaks and you'll probably have half of the unlocks within the first week.

Without the guns, gadgets, and radars of modern-themed games, it's a much tenser experience, and the cunning level design and excellent sound effects really draw you into its world. The variable difficulty levels mean no one should get seriously stuck, but there's still plenty of challenge for those that want it.

Doing anything that gets you off the couch is going to help, and Wii Fit's more energetic minigames are ample to leave you out of breath. No, it's no shortcut to the perfect physique, but it sure beats another hour on a damn treadmill.

Simple, engaging and spot-on in terms of presenting controversial material in a humorous and tongue-in-cheek manner.

With many hundreds of officers to meet, totally open-ended gameplay and ten scenarios to experience, this may be the best and longest lasting game you've ever bought.

Proves to be very addicting for someone looking for a thinking man's (or woman's) shooter both offline and on.

It takes advantage of the unique points of the Nintendo DS with a simple fighting system, and it overcomes the system's limitations with a nicely done smoke-and-mirrors presentation of swinging freely through a 3D city.

Quite simply it's very funny, great fun to play, but infuriatingly difficult and obscure in places. It's well animated, really colourful, beautifully voiced, original and lengthy.

It's not quite as big as "GT3" in terms of races and events, but there's still plenty of gameplay, and expansion disks and online capability on the horizon.

While the plot and motivation spazzes out all over the place, linking the narratives of the animated series and the contemporary movie (literally highlighting different ages and generations), the gameplay is consistently solid.

While DICE probably should have included a few more maps, and some editing material so that modders could more easily build on what they've been provided (you can release that software developer's kit any time now, EA!), it's hard to argue with this expansion when everything included in it is so good.

It's unlikely to tempt many current MMO addicts away from their regular poison, but if you've been looking for something that requires less commitment or organization it might be just the ticket. Auto Assault is the MMORPG for people who don't have time for MMORPGs.

X-Games doesn't have quite the graphics flare that SSX has, though in my opinion X-Games is the better looking of the two titles. It also has considerably faster load-times.

Its single-player is engaging and varied, and the multiplayer is even better. If you're looking for something a little deeper than the usual GBA fare, Shining Soul II is sure to put a smile on any gamer's face.

Incorporates harsh violence, language, and imagery into a much darker, nastier action/horror title that takes its subject matter and protagonist seriously for a change...The Suffering offers a good mix of the violent, the visceral, and the visionary.

Madden is fun, no question. It looks wonderful, and the visual improvements make it a more entertaining game both for players and spectators.

The real reason to get Phantom Hourglass is for its charming, DS-centric high-seas adventure.

A fascinating strategy game mixed with a lot of tactical shooter elements. Additional online modes and some gameplay tweaks would have earned the game a higher rating, but as it stands, it's a thoroughly entertaining and involving experience.

Be forewarned: your Street Fighter skills will be made irrelevant within roughly 10 seconds. Here, tactical forethought and impeccable timing count for way more than brute force.

Surprisingly, FIFA 2002 has a much more responsive control system than any previous version.

The game offers unparalleled variety and choice in the actual gameplay. The non-intrusive design sets just as much of a precedent as did Deus Ex, which is a joy to realize. The game feels a bit short -- especially considering how much choice the player is given -- and the presentation values could have been polished up more, but it's an experience like no other.

In many ways, Bloodlines' open-ended approach, combat system, and dialogue options make it feel a lot more like a successor to action-RPG classic "Deus Ex" than the recent sequel did.

While the final cocktail that is Rogue Agent breaks very little new ground, the eye powers and deathtraps are extremely welcome additions to the shooter arsenal.

While the final cocktail that is Rogue Agent breaks very little new ground, the eye powers and deathtraps are extremely welcome additions to the shooter arsenal.

Ideal if you're looking for a game with rather more challenge than other recent RTS offerings. The single-player levels should offer a stiff trial to just about everyone, and the skirmish AI, on the higher difficulty settings, puts up a hell of a fight.

So it's not as pretty as "DOA2," and probably doesn't play quite as well as either that game or "Tekken Tag," and there's not much strategy in the game either, but hey, if you're looking for a game that will let you literally rip your opponent to shreds, this is the one.

In many ways, Joint Ops is the game that "Battlefield: Vietnam" should have been. It may not have the same sense of style, but it's better balanced, has more interesting maps, and is much, much bigger.

The single-player experience is great on its own, which explains the success of the PS2 version, but with the addition of a powerful and customisable multiplayer mode, PC owners are in for a treat.

Though we're a long way from skateboard half-pipes here, the developers have provided atmosphere and attitude to rival one of the great modern console series.

Dialogue is fantastic. The script's professionally written. Foul language is common, yet used in the appropriate context. Weapons come off as carefully balanced, and won't disappoint.

This is a wonderful synthesis of elements. Kingdom Hearts II is all about story, character, and the recreation of classic fantasies, and it excels at all.

A solid, straightforward first-person shooter. It manages to stumble, gasping and grinning, from the no-man's land of "adequate" and into the green zone of "good," mostly due to the assorted flairs and presentational touches that make all the difference.

The locations are truly stunning, especially in Venice and New Zealand and the pounding music score perfectly complements the daredevil speed of the races.

Sacred takes the best elements from the RPG genre and fuses them with a great deal of style. The polish, attention to detail, and obvious love that went into this game makes up for its minor shortcomings.

Captivating.

It's certainly not revolutionary, but it's a simple, fun and very likeable game. It's perfect for dorm rooms or back-from-the-pub entertainment, as the controls don't take long to grasp and the gameplay isn't exactly rocket science.

A game that has so seriously squashed the competition that it's almost laughable.

The console games have more detail and are curiously a little more humorous than the PC version with some additional activities taking place, but even after all that, we enjoyed it immensely.

An exhilarating special ops action game, with finely crafted missions and amazing graphics. For anyone who loved the "shock and awe" of the movie, the bloody action and non-stop shooting, this game will provide the same kind of visceral thrill, and then some.

An engrossing experience with a horrific backbone.

The big question was how well the new controls would work, and though you'll need extra practice to kick well, the game passes the test, making for a solid bridge between two generations of game systems.

Has great production values, is "spiritually" faithful to the look and feel of the famed Disney attraction, and is a very good action/puzzler to boot.

Although the game pays lip service to the famous -- and feared -- tunnels of the VC, there are no claustrophobic underground chambers and passageways. Perhaps engine limitations are the reason, but it's certainly a missed opportunity.

A thoroughly welcome development of an established game style, and is well worth your money.

Offering 20 characters, 16 levels, and a ton of replay value, this title is great for kids and adults alike, and shouldn't be dismissed as a mere licensed game (or "merchandise") -- it's the real deal.

Younger players out there will get a kick out of the solid controls and bright environments, while more advanced players can appreciate the challenge and depth of the included boost system.

Fans of flight simulation should be rolling in joy at the accuracy of the presentation of the racing, and there's the added bonus of being able to light up the skies in the excellent free-flight combat mode.

Unfortunately, one of X-Men Legends II's greatest strengths is also its greatest weakness. There is virtually nothing different about the actual gameplay.

If your only option is the PS2 version, it's a less attractive option -- but if you're looking for simple, addictive brain teasing, you can't go too far wrong with this.

Its predominant flaw is that it whets our appetite for something unimaginably amazing but only fulfills half of that unveiled promise.

Even with its slight problems, it's a great racing game with solid looking graphics and fantastic cars to drive through some stunning cities.

Outstanding graphically and sonically, Far Cry's gameplay doesn't quite match up to its looks. That said, the AI and imaginative set pieces make it easily the best single-player first-person shooter of the last few months.

Online or offline, as a campaign or a freeform scenario, Caesar IV is an inviting game, easy to like and hard to stop playing. It's got a fairly forgiving learning curve, and it will rarely plunge you into the sort of economic death spirals that can make other city builders so discouraging.

The AI is surprisingly excellent - if you send a batch of troops out to scout, they will take up careful positions, scale machine gun positions, engage the enemy, and redeploy defensively without any more commands having to be issued.

Its instant accessibility, great overall presentation and tremendous historical feel make this game a secret worth spreading.

Maybe being a villain isn't all that the brochure promised, but those giddy early levels and powerful later ones just might make the middle slog worthwhile.

A polished and exciting ride, carefully calculated for 80 percent thrills and 20 percent brain teasers.

Without the guns, gadgets, and radars of modern-themed games, it's a much tenser experience, and the cunning level design and excellent sound effects really draw you into its world. The variable difficulty levels mean no one should get seriously stuck, but there's still plenty of challenge for those that want it.

The changes are as skull-shattering as we had hoped -- rejuvenating a franchise in dire need of a makeover.