Offers a lengthy adventure, a compelling, gorgeous world, and more than a dash of chaos to the order of conventional fantasy role-playing games.

It adds just enough to keep fans interested, but doesn't fix all the flaws or reinvent the game. With that said, the game has more focus, a bit more style, a lot more to do, and a definite ending if you choose to pursue it.

The LocoRoco world works perfectly. There are few examples of out of the box game design that are so well put together.

While Perimeter's gameplay doesn't always work perfectly, it's refreshing to play a strategy title that stands out from the crowd both in its concept and its graphics. If you're fed up with cookie-cutter RTS games, give it a try.

Once the greater story starts, you'll face some great combat (the "Area 42" assault), moments of pure oddness (like making a brainwashed politician B.S. his way through a public speech), great little period touches, and some cool bits of humor from the alien who thinks he's Nicholson.

The best game of the series...a hugely addictive game with a twisting, intense storyline that would make J.R.R. Tolkien proud.

The production values kick demon ass, it's easier to learn (and yet more difficult to master) than the previous game, and it's almost a constant joy to look at.

Though all the elements are familiar, IO has polished them up and the end result is like a favorite dish: You know what it tastes like, but you're still looking forward to eating it.

Both atmospheric and exciting, and there isn't much higher praise for a historical first-person shooter than that.

The core aspects of SOCOM 3 remain the same, so those who tired of the earlier games won't find much to win them back for a third round.

It's ideal for those with high-level Morrowind characters.

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.

This is a worthwhile RTS that deserves more than to be upstaged by higher profile games, neither of which has battle zeppelins.

Fire Pro Wrestling has options in bucket-loads.

The graphics on Tropico are rich; you can almost smell the sea air while you're a mouse-click from arresting a political adversary.

It's more dense and difficult than most other handheld strategy titles, and the 24 campaign missions provide a variety of surprises and pleasures.

The mood is right, the graphics good, and the plot compelling. I found the tactical combat system refreshingly intelligent, and the multitude of ways you can approach the game from a stats point of make a wide variety of styles possible in the game.

It's a pleasingly solid sequel, and doesn't leave the inexperienced out in the cold.

Where the multiplayer side is concerned, RCTW's instant appeal and immensely addicting gameplay is one of the best team-based FPS games to release this year.

A good deal for Xbox owners, despite its shortcomings. There's an awful lot of gameplay here, thanks to the multiple single-player modes and good selection of party games.

If you're already a PSO vet, there's little reason beyond character-leveling to re-play the first episode, but for one and all, there is a new, engaging and entertaining experience here, provided you can pay the online piper.

EA's challenge is not to simplify their simulation or stop adding detail, but to integrate those features so well that players can simply marvel at how advanced the game has become. The Superstar revisions are a step in the right direction, since they allow players to focus on the entire game one player at a time, but otherwise that's just not the case.

It's just a shame that Sega chose to conform to the fighting game mold rather than breaking it with something totally extraordinary, because that's what it's going to take if we're ever going to see this genre back at the top of the video-game food chain.

Strikes a near perfect balance between solid RTS gameplay with an epic, fantasy storyline.

Cuphead is a love letter to not just the decades-old cartoons it apes, but also gaming’s classic boss battles that have fallen to the wayside, as well. It’s far from easy, but don’t let that spook you out of playing this wonderful work of art. You’ll need patience and a steady hand, but you’ll absolutely be able to win out in the end.

Aside from the chaining, the core combat system isn't worth getting too worked up about. It's still automated, requiring little more of the player than target selection. There aren't even tactical position bonuses or penalties, which is pretty weak. And forget the player-versus-player, at least in the game's current iteration.

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.

It adds just enough to keep fans interested, but doesn't fix all the flaws or reinvent the game. With that said, the game has more focus, a bit more style, a lot more to do, and a definite ending if you choose to pursue it.

Despite controls that take some getting used to, it translates very well to the PSP and proves a truly classic game can withstand the test of time.

Bears the gift of immense replayability, lending itself to quick, low-commitment gameplay sessions.

Plenty of Bruckheimer-style action, a decent suite of multiplayer options, strong visuals, and a variety-packed single-player mode. Derivative it might be, both of past Far Cry games and other FPSes, but there's still no arguing with the quality of this offering.

Almost akin to what alcoholics would call a "moment of clarity", a prolonged amount of play reveals Burnout to suddenly be a far more enjoyable game than initially realised.

Rife with action and bursting at the seams with bonus content, the title will also go down in history as one of the most intense products ever created for hobbyists' consumption.

While the missions in The Simpsons: Hit and Run can take on an air of sameness after a while and the pursuit scheme is less than completely thought out, the most startling thing we can note is that the gameplay stands on its own, Simpsons or no Simpsons.

Pacific Assault's half-documentary, half-entertainment approach is solid, and the game's a thrilling, if slightly by-the-numbers WW2 shooter.

If you're tired of "Halo" -- and by now, you probably are -- it'll completely sate your desire for pretty, violent multiplayer action, and the options opened up by controlling a full team of commandos give it an original, fresh feel.

Great control and tracks would be for naught if the graphics engine couldn't keep up, but not to worry. MTX runs at a silky smooth framerate that grabs your collar and shakes hard.

There is a lot of strategy hidden in this classic 2D fighter. No matter how long you play, it always seems like there's time for one more round.

That co-op feature makes this among the best kids games out there, because parents and kids can directly play together.

Hidden underneath the heroine's cute, sly smile is a solid helping of classic Rare goodness, just waiting to burst forth. Layer on the excellent combat system, beautiful visuals, and an orchestral score, and you've got a game well worth checking out.

For the most part, Double Agent is like slipping on a comfortable pair of shoes. There aren't really any new gadgets, although some of the old ones have evolved.

Gitaroo Man Lives delivers an awesome performance on PSP. However, its short length leaves it feeling more like an opening act than a headliner. Despite this flaw, music fans are urged to not miss the game a second time.

It utterly breaks the subdued mold of the series.

If it's a strategic challenge you're after, Lost Souls might well be the game for you, and we don't hesitate before recommending it for anyone with the pang for tactics.

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.

I have no doubts about TA:K's entertainment value. Yes, it is a reincarnation of a two-year old game system (with radically different gameplay, I must emphasize) with various problems, and the innovation may no longer be there, but the fun certainly is.

Unless you've got friends willing to pass as potential victims, it's about a day's worth of cheap thrills. But those seeking a suitable multiplayer scrap should find themselves in good shape with this one.

With all the attention given over to the performance and presentation, it's a shame that V3 features such lame audio.

Its enthusiasm is infectious and irresistible.

If you're a fan, there's no question about it - snap this one up without delay. With its snowy forests, ice-clad lakes, Nord villages and werewolves, Bloodmoon has plenty of new and interesting things to get your teeth into.

Each iteration of the Medal of Honor series has been better than the last, and Rising Sun is no exception. It would have been nice to see EA take a few risks and break formula, but the game's a great war shooter nonetheless.

There's no question that X-Men Legends II is an improvement on its console predecessors -- now it's even better with a PSP version, so you can take your mayhem with you.

It's the ultimate in meta-gaming. Playing yourself playing yourself and it's worth the purchase, because it's different enough, even if you just spent the past year sitting in a computer chair playing a character sitting in his computer chair.

Action/RPGs tap into some inherent need to button-mash and kill countless foes, while still strategizing a bit with your party and their attributes so you don't feel brainless -- and this may be the best sci-fi themed entry in the genre to date.

The main benefit over the original is the game's expanded challenge mode.

Tony Hawk's Project 8 is quite simply a good game. If you're looking for new levels to trick on and a new story mode to play through, it's money well spent. Nail the trick is the type of awesome addition this series desperately needed.

The game succeeds in terms of both story and combat quality, and even adds in some cool online functionality with battles and jewel trading. RPG enthusiasts will want to capture this game as soon as they can.

Perhaps the most competent boxing game we've come across in a long while, if not ever. It manages to be a worthy film tie-in that remains supremely playable and strangely compulsive.

The soundtrack ranks as one of the most impressive to date. Mixing bass-thumping hip-hop grooves with epic, tension-building in-race vibes, it's well worth cranking up the volume for a fully engrossing driving experience.

There's nothing really like it on the PS2, and it's a marvel to behold in full flow. Sega and Sony should be happy that the conversion has gone so swimmingly well.

Its defensive focus and thoughtful, non-click-fest combat are unusual, and are its main strengths.

It's witty, smoothly produced, and absorbing.

Levels are brilliantly designed and there's always a mass of things for you to do when you first come into a new section of the game and you can approach the various tasks in whatever order you desire to some extent.

It's a fun, attractive, and challenging solo adventure that satisfyingly concludes the longstanding series with a memorable finale.

The game lacks the complicated character advancement common in the genre, but it's fast-paced, looks and sounds great, and will keep casual RPG and Lord of the Rings fans happy.

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.

We've seen non-games like this before; the Dreamcast's "Seaman" comes to mind. Typically, they're fleeting novelties that burn out quickly. Electroplankton feels different, simply because it offers too much choice and unexpected surprises.

The gameplay is still addictive and people who enjoy their virtual people will find themselves compulsively playing this GBA version.

In the long run, we love F1's purity; while it can seem too much at first, the stringent driving model is ideally suited for Formula One racing. An arcade leaning would make the game more accessible for a broader audience, but would also sell short the enthusiast appeal of the sport.

Original games aren't exactly everywhere, but adding such deep role-playing and strategic elements to a combat game was an inspired move.

Different, imaginative and entertaining, it's even more deserving of success than its predecessor.

It's original, foreboding, action-packed and full of dark humour, uplifting surprises and plenty of serious shooting for you to get to grips with.

If you're a longtime Battlecry player hoping for a revolutionary improvement, Warlords Battlecry 3 will be a disappointment. But if it's high-quality RTS gameplay you're looking for, it's here in spades.

It’s clear that XCOM 2 is an ambitious effort, with just about every mechanic from Enemy Unknown going under the knife in some way. Most of the changes are for the best, leading to another genuinely fun, tense romp through an embattled world desperate for your strategic brilliance. It stumbles a bit, however, and a handful of issues make the experience clumsy and overcomplicated, forcing players to pay an exorbitant price for their own ignorance. But hey, isn’t saving the human race worth a little saving and reloading?

Legends is a compelling game for those who aren't fans of the license, but it's an absolute must-have for X-Men followers; the bigger the fan, the more you need this game.

It's disappointing that the three sides -- the USA, the USSR, and NATO -- are the same except for their accents and artwork. Also, there's a lot of nuance among the tactical powers that will be overwhelming to new players.

This could have been little more than a Flash game done on the cheap to cash in on this nostalgia. Instead, Introversion has created a chilling, thoughtful, and eminently playable real time strategy game, squeezing more atmosphere into 60MBs than most games can manage with 600MBs. Sometimes, less is indeed so much more.

Rating such a schizophrenic beast is tough. But one thing's for sure: If you're in the mood for a retro-styled, light-hearted platform game, you'll love Conker. Equally, if you're looking for high-adrenaline Xbox Live thrills, it'll be right up your street.

Perhaps the best thing that Def Jam Vendetta has going for it, though, is its attitude. The developers took this idea and ran with it, a tactic that makes story mode as engaging as a B movie.

NBA Live 2006 isn't the perfect game for serious NBA fans who dig stat-tracking more than slam-dunking. It is, however, a great game for someone searching for a good looking, fun and portable game of basketball.

Given the type of game they set out to make, it's hard to see how they could have made it any better.

It's not the prettiest game going, but its reliance on tense, cinch-your-belt strategy with limited forces is a welcome break from the near-mindless tank- (or in this case, monster-) rush blues.

If you have the means, a good Internet connection, and salivate at the thought of a massive controller with 40 blinking buttons, Line of Contact is a must buy.

Though all the elements are familiar, IO has polished them up and the end result is like a favorite dish: You know what it tastes like, but you're still looking forward to eating it.

Despite its initial problems, Pokémon Go is an absurdly addictive and approachable game. Chances are you can go out on your lunch break and see people playing at this very moment. After staying out of the smartphone game market for years, Nintendo has finally jumped in headfirst and scored an absolute hit.

Gorgeous productions values and sublime sneak-n-solve gameplay.

Ace Combat 4 delivers all the necessary thrills at a blistering Mach 1 style pace.

Despite some dated-looking visuals (it REALLY does look like PSO), Dot-hack is an impressive bit of high-concept work, and scores lots of points for its presentational excellence.

It may not be perfect, but the combination of movie authenticity, solid action, and exploratory gameplay adds up to one hell of a good time.

Ultimately, The Shadow of Aku's excellent controls, just-right fighting action, humor, and easy-on-the-eyes visuals do the Samurai Jack license proud.

Vegas 2 may be formulaic, but when the formula's still tastes great, it's hard to complain too much. Rainbow Six's action-movie realism and smooth look still make the game every bit as gripping as its illustrious predecessor.

Don't expect challenging financial decisions or careful economic planning, but if all you want is to make your own movies, this game's awe-inspiringly varied toolset should not be missed.

The current-gen NBA 2K7 is a really good basketball title that looks great and plays even better. At $30, it's well worth picking up, even if it isn't a huge step up from last year's title.

A fascinating, unusual combination of turn-based story-driven missions with "card-battle" mechanics (think "Magic the Gathering" or "Yu-Gi-Oh!"). And being part of the infamous Metal Gear franchise, it's got all the convoluted yet strangely intriguing plot twists you'd expect.

Working its magic touch for the sport, the presentation and addictive gameplay impress right from the initial pre-match nerves to the relief of the final whistle.

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.

If the whole Japanese-mech scene is yours, however, it's a good bet that the Armored Core series will appeal, and that the numerous customization options will offer you more than the typical "expansion kit" could ever hope for.

As unimportant as it sounds, you don't look for a group - you look for a Fellowship. This isn't so much a change of game mechanics as it is a change in attitude. It's a reminder that LOTRO isn't just a game: it's a world and a story that both players and developers truly care about. Maybe that's a small step toward a more respectful player culture, but it's still a welcome one.