While not as polished as others in the genre, what it lacks in functionality, it makes up for with personality and blade mode.

If Tecmo KOEI had poured as much new content into the game as they removed, it would have been a worthy, albeit campy, sequel. Dumb fun is fine, but Ken’s Rage 2 is a ripoff.

It seems to have the right set up for a decent Aliens game with the presentation and look, but due to the boring story and clunky enemy AI, there is no tension or exciting action.

For those who have fond memories of the early Hitman games, the HD trilogy accomplishes its goal. It is faithful to the originals (although in the case of Silent Assassin and Contracts, probably too faithful). However, for those who don’t have those nostalgic ties or are new to the series, Absolution is unquestionably a better choice, and those who enjoyed Absolution and are looking for more Hitman will want to think twice.

There’s a healthy player base right now, but without an active community over the long term, this game is really nothing. There’s enough here to keep players busy for a good long while, and with a few patches here and there, the bugs may be remedied. As of right now, for $15, you get a decent shooter with a solid package and a few problems here and there. Just make sure you have some decent teammates.

Dead Space 3 is a fantastic game, but one that players should go into with eyes open. The series has evolved beyond simply being a horror title, and moved on to being more akin to a large, AAA game. The passion and level of care Visceral has always displayed is still here, even if the focus feels more on intense encounters and action, rather than simply scaring the crap out of the player.

Skulls of the Shogun is a cute, accessible game that’s easy to pick up and play, but adds enough depth and strategy over the course of the experience to remain entertaining.

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time is a love-letter to fans of the series. For those of us clamoring for Sly’s return for the past eight years, we finally have something to fill the void.

The game really is just pure fun to play. On a high end PC, the game looks amazing in cut scenes and in the fast-paced combat. If you are an action game fan, you owe it to yourself to own DmC. You will not be disappointed.

Fire Emblem: Awakening is one of those games to which I couldn't help but become addicted. Even as someone that has a difficult time with strategy games, I was able to see just how brilliant this game is.

GG is complex and difficult to master for those who want to, but is also flashy and exciting enough to appeal to beginners or perpetually low level players like myself

Book of Shadows is a very interesting game. I do enjoy good visual novels, and for the most part, this game tells a rather compelling tale. Granted, it won't be for everyone, but if you don't mind a good amount of gore and some really creepy set pieces, then this game will not disappoint.

I cannot stress how much enjoyment Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch has delivered. From the compelling narrative to the incredible visual design to the incredibly deep, and well-paced mechanics, this is a game with which every JRPG fan will likely fall in love. Even if you are a casual fan of the genre, this would be one I would recommend checking out if you have a PS3.

It may not be ground breaking, and it may not be as long as the other DLCs that have been released, but that doesn't stop Big Game Hunt from being a rather jolly good time.

In the end, the basics are here, but there are more complete packages available in the genre.

Clan of Champions doesn't have a lot going for it. Every aspect of it seems poor. Controls, presentation, combat and even the grating music are terrible. The few things that do stand out, like the ability to swap combat styles on the fly, are overshadowed by the glaring faults. Even with the large amount of arenas, the rinse and repeat style of game play removes any form of longevity Clan of Champions may have had.

Sure, the combat can be argued all day long by purists of the series, but if that is your hang up, you are denying yourself an amazing game to play. Fans of the genre, series and games in general definitely need to see what Ninja Theory has achieved here. It's easily an early contender for my favorite games of the year.

If you love Trials Evolution, this pack is a no-brainer, even if you have mastered all that has been offered up to this point. No game in history has given me so much satisfaction from frustration at it at every turn.

The entire Scorchers section lasts six levels, and took me between two and three hours to complete, but it also only costs five dollars. That is not a bad deal when you consider comparable DLC packs. What it lacks in direction, it makes up for in sheer content.

In the end, the Zen Classic Table pack offers up a good variety of tables, but they really feel dated and less exciting when compared to the cleaner, more recent offerings. If they go on sale, I'd recommend scooping them up, but for your hard earned $2.50 each (only available as a pack), there is better virtual silverball to be played.

There is plenty of content for the money, and it's different enough to allow even those with over 100 hours in Skyrim to feel refreshed. It's easily the best piece of Skyrim expansion content yet, and well worthy of $20.

Zen Studios has done it again, with an incredible pinball table that is extremely fun and addicting to play.

Full Frontal Assault takes the series in a direction that seems fitting. It is just a shame that the pieces didn't come together as well as they could have.

Power of Illusion finds its roots in a classic platformer, and its gameplay lives up to that legacy. Unfortunately, the other gameplay elements really break up the action; object manipulation by painting is novel but awkward, and the side quests are just pure filler. Despite those slowdowns, it's a lot of fun to play. For fans of the original, it's a walk down memory lane, but it's also an excellent platformer that stands on its own.

Even with the difficulties that are present, the platforming is never really clunky, and the overall experience is clearly a product of Grasshopper Manufacture. It is a strange ride that can keep players involved for a few hours. Saving frequently and keeping an open mind is a must, but for only ten dollars, you can get some enjoyment out of Black Knight Sword.

As an exercise in fan service, Back to the Multiverse hits a lot of notes that fans of the series will recognize and appreciate. It's certainly offensive, but so is the source material, so that shouldn't be a surprise. As a game, it's a very average third person shooter that doesn't do anything special, but doesn't do anything horrible either.

Epic Mickey 2 is disappointing. There is no other way to put it. For a game I was genuinely excited to play, I found myself constantly forcing play sessions.

Just Dance 4 has something for everybody, and this is the definition of a party game.

Overall, Your Shape Fitness is a really good title to pick up if you would like to lose some weight in the comfort of your own home.

In the end, the biggest problem that Omega struggles with is the fact that nothing about it seems worthwhile in the overall scope of the game's narrative. This is particularly true if you've already completed the game.

Monolith has done a great job making a MOBA game work very well with a controller. Will I say after putting the time I have into GoME have I become good at MOBA games? No. Will I say I had a fun time with the fast game play, deep customization and online play? Absolutely. MOBA players should look into this game, and interested in the genre should absolutely check Guardians of Middle-Earth out. It is well worth the $15 pricetag.

At $50, it is not worth a purchase, considering there are better, much less expensive simulation games out there for other platforms. If this was in the $20 – $30 range, it might be a good fit for those that are diehard fans of the genre.

It's a little disappointing that, like the last DLC, this one doesn't raise the level cap for players, but if you enjoyed Borderlands 2 and you're looking for more of it, it's a great pickup.

As it stands, I can definitely recommend Inside Line to NASCAR fans looking for their fix, but casual racing fans may find it overly technical and lacking in polish compared to other racing games on the market.

The game may not be perfect, and it may not be particularly easy, but that doesn't mean it isn't a fantastic game that RPG fans of all shapes shouldn't try.

Magical Drop V had a lot of promise. With a simple mechanic of matching three orbs to clear a board, you wouldn't think the developers could mess that up, somehow, they did. The AI is all over the place, with frustratingly hard difficulties to laughably stupid, easy difficulties. The online play would have been great if it weren't for the bad lag, and the game in and of itself would have been a really fun time if it hadn't been so sluggishly implemented.

Assassin's Creed III rekindled my love for the series. The new setting and characters were a great welcome for me, and the story was well told through some great writing and voice acting. There are some complications here and there that can bog the player down, but for the most part, the amount of content you get in this game is a steal for the price. The PC version is by far the best way to go if you have the rig for it, and the options for the PC players are satisfying.

Far Cry 3 was a shock all around. After being cold on the second game and only mildly excited about the original, I wasn't expecting groundbreaking. FC3 obliterated my expectations and is easily in my top-tier of 2012 games. I can see myself sinking hours into the campaign, and I am stoked to see what people concoct with the map editor over time. If you like FPS games in general, you owe it to yourself to pick up FC3. The game exceeds all expectations and is quickly becoming one I can't stop thinking about when real life takes me away from Rook Island.

This isn't a zombie shooting gallery, nor is it an episode of the Walking Dead. Zombies may be cliche and played out, but ZombiU's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. Definitely check it out if you own a Wii U.

In conclusion, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 for the Wii U is a fantastic fighting game, and a must buy for the new Nintendo system. This game has so much to offer, and it adds a hard-core competitive element to Nintendo gamers that have been lacking for a long time.

Overall, Warriors Orchi 3 Hyper is a good game, but not a great game. There is lots of fun to be had. Unfortunately, there are some graphical issues and game play repetitiveness, but then again most fun things in life are repetitive in their own way.

For new players, the systems in Hitman can take some getting used to. Once acclimated, my only real problem was deciding how I wanted to take out my target. With the incredible number of options, it's possible to play the same level multiple times, in a completely different way each time. Add to that the user created challenges, and the result is a fun game that has tons of replay value. With five difficulty settings, the game will appeal to both hardcore stealth fans and casual gamers alike, and it's a terrific package that anyone can enjoy.

It is nigh impossible for me to recommend Rabbids Land to anyone who bought a Wii U. The collection of games ranges from mildly enjoyable, to downright mind-numbing. The fact that four players are supported and only two can play at a time is boggling, and trying to fly solo is comparable to watching paint dry. I love Rabbids. Their humor is undeniable, but there is nothing funny about sitting and waiting to play a mediocre mini-game, only to have to do it again ten minutes later.

Chasing Aurora is fun while it lasts, but none of it has a huge shelf life. Each game type feels relatively familiar, and while novel, none of them scream for repeat performances. It might have been easier to swallow at $5 or even as much as $10, but for $15 this game feels overpriced for what you get. The ideas are sound, but the concept simply fails to deliver reasons to come back. I suggest waiting for a sale or price drop before diving into this unique, but limited title.

Wii U owners looking for a solid basketball experience are in for a treat. This is one of the best ports available at launch, and it goes toe-to-toe with the other versions on every level. NBA 2K13 is a fantastic game no matter how you play it, and being available at the launch of a console gives the Wii U one more reason to celebrate.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed may have the most unfortunate name in gaming's recent history, but that doesn't stop it from being truly fantastic. This is easily my favorite kart racer of the generation, slightly outdoing its predecessor in both form, and sheer content. Sega fans will love it. Kart racing fans will have a blast, and gamers in general should really appreciate the love poured into this game. The price is right, the game is fun and anyone who enjoys a good time should definitely check out this amazing racer.

Mass Effect 3 on Wii U is a tough sell. The game on its own is fantastic. The shooting is solid, the narrative is great and the characters are memorable, but you are simply missing so much of the experience by not having played the previous two. In the case that you have played them on other consoles, there is no incentive to lose your save and progress to migrate to Wii U.

Madden on the Wii U definitely has some growing pains, but I am excited to see how it turns out in the years to come. The Gamepad screen definitely enhances the experience ten-fold here. If they can clean up the stutters and toss in the Infinity Engine, this will definitely be the version to beat in the years to come. Still, if you don't have access to the other consoles, and this is your only way to play Madden, you will be perfectly happy with this version. It has almost everything found in the other versions and awesome Gamepad screen support that isn't available on any other console.

AC3 is a fantastic game that is hampered by its problems, and the Wii U does little to solve them.

If you only own a Wii U this is one game to pay close attention to. It is one of the better ports, and the second screen functionality becomes second nature after a while. In fact, it would be hard to play without it now. Combined with the great campaign packed in, this is definitely one of the better launch ports for the Wii U.

Overall, things just feel broken here. The visuals have issues in every sport, and the game just doesn't look that good. The navigation is also confusing at times, and the title doesn't feel like it was designed solely for the Gamepad. It is also troubling that you are required to have a Wiimote for half of the titles. This just screams "rush job." There is nothing redeeming about ESPN Sports Connection.

The story is told amazingly well, the characters feel real and seeing how my decisions affected the story was nothing but a great ride. I can't suggest this episode or the entire series enough. You owe it to yourself to give this series a shot.

Transformers Prime is not a bad game. It just lacks any sort of pazazz. The levels are straight-forward, the gameplay non-offensive and the multiplayer is just throw-away. Fans of the show might find enough to warrant their purchase, but if you own a 3DS, you can get the same experience for a lot less money. This is definitely one of those instances where the game was a quick port to fill a slot in the launch roster, nothing more, nothing less.

All that said, if you have already taken Death's journey, there is little reason to come back for seconds. Darksiders II is a great game, but once is more than enough here. I am still dealing with side quests and DLC from the original 360 version personally, so unless you skipped it altogether, there is no single feature that makes this worthy of a double dip. Wii U owners that have yet to embark on the series should definitely check it out. It is a massive game that will last you upwards of 50 hours to complete. As a launch title, that is impressive.

For what you get, this is a pretty big deal. The game is not short by any means, and there are always different paths to take on the world map. This game can easily last you into the 15-20 hour mark depending on what you want to do. The combat is still fun, and at times, the puzzle solving is enjoyable when you actually know where you should go. Paper Mario is still not back to what I want it to be, but Sticker Star is a step in the right direction.

Tank! Tank! Tank! is a hard game to review. On one hand, I had a blast playing locally in both story and multiplayer mode, but the price tag is painful. I can't honestly say that what you get is worth the full $50 investment. However, if it ever drops in price, I cannot stress enough how much fun Kong mode, and just smashing enemies is with friends. This is a polarizing game, due in large part to its price tag, and that is truly a shame. Check it out when it gets cheaper, until then you might want to steer clear.

This is still the same great Arkham City we played last year, but the new gimmicks, weird visual issues and glitches make it truly an inferior version when compared to the others. I really wish they had put more thought into how to implement the touch screen into the mix, because as it stands, it is more hindrance than help.

If you were a fan of the WWE from 1997 through 1999, you owe it to yourself to check out WWE 13 out for the Attitude era mode and Superstars. It's an incredibly nostalgic trip through an awesome period in the industry's history. Current fans of the WWE will also find a lot to like here, from the huge roster to the cavernous depths of the creation system. If you are willing to look past the issues, you'll find a lot of fun to be had with WWE '13. Regardless of the future of the WWE license, there is some great single player content here to build on.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified was supposed to be THE Vita game. This was a system seller, and one that would forever showcase just how hardcore the PS Vita was in the handheld scene. Unfortunately, what we ended up with is a watered-down, uninteresting version of CoD that feels almost like a cheap knock-off of the series. I cannot recommend this game for Vita owners with so much other quality software dropping in the last month. Shooter fans continue to hold out, Declassified is not the shooter that will define the PS Vita… at least not in the way Sony hopes.

At the end of the day LEGO Lord of the Rings is exactly what you would expect. Whether or not it is something you want is entirely based on your love for the two properties. LEGO games are not going anywhere. They are well made, cover fantastic franchises and, admit it; we all enjoy playing them from time to time. That said, if you enjoy the LotR series, you will undoubtedly love what TT Games has done here. It may not evolve the series, but it does enough to make fans of both franchises happy.

Rayman Origins is a unique, well designed platformer with loads of personality that simply doesn't feel right on the 3DS.

There are enough new and fresh ideas here to make it stand out, and there is certainly plenty of content to keep you playing. Black Ops 2 will easily be the best-selling game this year, but it will also be remembered for changing the way we look at the CoD series.

Overall, Transformers Prime is decent game for a system in its twilight years. My two biggest gripes for this title are the lack of graphical fidelity, which could not be helped, and not allowing the player to use a classic controller. A multiplayer mode is also available, but it just feels like a tacked-on bonus for two players. However, if you can look past those things, Transformers Prime offers a solid gameplay experience. Nintendo Wii owners can finally have a decent game worthy of the Transformers name.

F1 Race Stars isn't a bad game. In fact I had a lot of fun playing it, especially offline with friends. The problems arise from its lack of creativity in power-ups, and the bland career mode. There just seems to be so much filler for a game that should shine through simplicity. When it gets that core concept right, it excels. The rest of the time you are left wondering why they made the decisions they did. Fans of F1 looking for a solid kart racer (imagine how small that window is) will be pleased, but there are better options for everyone else looking for a solid title in this genre.

With the level of creations online now you can see the frustration caused by the editor. Tracks are not nearly as inspired as those found in ModNation. It just seems like LBP Karting took more shortcuts in its design than the two games that make up its core.

As someone who has never really played turn based strategy games, Legends of War: Patton was initially intimidating, but the tutorials explain things well and I was able to find my bearings pretty quickly. The combat was good, although hardcore strategy fans may find the single player lacking AI depth. Having your troops rank up is cool though, and I actually started to get weirdly attached to some of the guys I had since the beginning. It's not without fault, but as long as you turn most of the audio off it's a solid, enjoyable game.

The price tag for what you get here feels just a bit steep, but if you are like me and simply love playing around in the world of Sleeping Dogs, I think you will definitely enjoy it.

Transformers Prime is a solid entry for Nintendo owners this year. It was a wise decision to spin off the series from its other versions, and focus on a different series altogether. This allowed the team to create their own experience without having to simply downgrade the bigger version.

I do think that, in the end, Ragnarok Odyssey should appeal to a wide range of gamers. With the relative drought of great Vita games lately it's probably a safe bet for anyone looking to expand their library.

Liberation could have been a fantastic game and a very worthy entry in the overall AC canon if it had been given a couple more months in the oven. As it stands, it's certainly an enjoyable romp and well worth playing for fans of the series, but the technical issues and sub-par narrative exposition really hold it back. Hopefully future handheld entries in the series will learn from the missteps here and create a true masterpiece.

Halo 4 is a great return to form for the series.

It remains a perfect game for a mobile platform – something that can be quickly picked up and enjoyed for either a short or long stretch of time. It's still the best game of its kind, and something that will keep puzzle fans happy for a very long time.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted on the Vita is the perfect compliment to its big brother version. If you own both games it almost feels like cross-play when you share points across the board. The omissions are noticeable, but not game breaking, and the experience is just as fun as the console version. If you want Most Wanted on-the-go you are in luck, this is a masterfully crafted version with only a few setbacks. Vita owners take note, this is how racing games are done right on a handheld.

Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2013 will service its fanbase, but few others. The one-year subscription to a hunting magazine packaged in the box tells the whole story. This game is not broken, but also far from making any waves. If you enjoyed previous entries, you will likely be satisfied with what is here. The new gun feels good, and the shooting galleries are entertaining, but the rest just feels like it was dialed in for the yearly sequel.

Zone of the Enders HD Collection is a solid package that truly only suffers from its technical flaws. The frame rate might not have been such an issue if the original hadn't been so smooth. As it stands, being able to finally play both games on Xbox 360 and having them in one nice package is almost worth it, unless of course you still own them on PS2.

If you have played Okami before, or if you are interested in it now that the remake is here, there is no doubt in my mind, you really need to pick this game up. I usually don't say this, but this is more of an experience than it is a game. The story is charming, the visuals are beautiful, and the presentation makes me smile from ear to ear. This is one of the better HD upgrades and well worth the time and money. I can not suggest Okami enough.

Skylanders Giants on the 3DS is what I like to call a nice compliment piece. If you have the console versions it works as a nice way to level up figures while on the go. If this were my only option, though, I can't say I would enjoy it nearly as much. The other versions just do a much better job of extending the addiction.

Needless to say, Persona 4 Golden is a must buy for Vita owners. Large amounts of gameplay are wrapped in the shroud of an incredibly deep story. It touches on death, murder, other dimensions, moral ambiguity, suicide, celebrities, media exploits and even corporate greed via major department stores; this game has it all. I feel that Persona 4 Golden is a very fitting title; this game truly is golden.

Pid is one of those games that I feel just came out at the wrong time. It does some very nice things but the difficulty in the boss fights and the monotony of the platforming after a while will bog down players. The co-op is a shining point to the game, and the presentation is top notch. For ten dollars, you can still get a little enjoyment out of it as long as you have patience.

I can't say I had a bad time playing Clan of Champions, but I can safely say I didn't have a blast with it either.

For the most part, version 2 is as good as version 1.

Mark of the Ninja is a fantastic game.

Thundercats is a poor example of almost every facet. The license is abused, the nostalgia just isn't there and the game is downright terrible functionality-wise. I simply cannot recommend this game for anyone. It is short, poorly designed and just not any fun. Someday I truly hope to see Lion-O and the gang return to form, but this game is certainly not the start of something special.

Unfortunately, those moments are few and far between. Fable: The Journey doesn't make good use of the Kinect hardware, and the results are less then magical.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is a spiritual successor to Burnout Paradise with the license behind it. This is not a bad thing; in fact it does more good for the game than anything. Criterion knows how to make fun and accessible racers, and MW is no exception. If you enjoy these types of games I cannot recommend the game enough.

Assassin's Creed III is how you re-ignite a franchise just when fatigue sets in.

Orgarhythm is one of those games that seems like it was created by an evil genius who had all these competing ideas dance-battling on old refrigerator boxes in his crazy old noggin and he finally just snapped and said "You know what, F all this noise. We're just gonna throw it all in there and go eat some frozen yogurt." As a result, it is completely unlike anything else you will ever play. Strictly for that reason, I would recommend giving the game a look if you're even the least bit interested in any of the genres within. Just make sure that you're prepared for a fast, frantic, sometimes convoluted but always fair new experience that will test your skills and your rhythm in equal measure.

The original game is still more complete, and more fun, than the 3DS version, and it is 15 years old.

While it is certainly not offensive on any level, it also fails to be impressive most of the time. The campaign is all over the place, and the Fire Team mechanic is outstanding, but the rest feels inconsistent at times, and incomplete at others.

There are a ton of features in the game that no one asked for. Vita owners already have Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Mortal Kombat in their lineup, and MK is far superior with its uniquely designed challenge mode exclusively for Vita.

There are a few hitches here and there, but there's also a good amount of fun to be had.

Like the previous games before it, Dance Central 3 is just plain fun to play. Games that my entire family enjoys are rare, and it's even rarer that I enjoy playing those games on my own as well. Playing solo (with the blinds closed, of course), even on Easy, I worked up a pretty good sweat and had a blast doing it. With excellent motion recognition, a great track list and loads of multiplayer options, it remains the best dance game for Kinect.

007 Legends is an unfinished game that no one will likely bother to finish.

For only 25 bucks, you get a good amount of game. If you're looking for some good, difficult fun, you should really check this game out.

When you add it all up you get a package that feels poorly constructed. The port feels sloppy, the separation of online and campaign is mind-boggling and the repetition mixed with attempts to be more serious falls flat.

Warlords is the seed of a very fun game surrounded by the withered husk of a shell that does not let it reach its full potential.

Silent Hill: Book of Memories is a surprising twist on the franchise that works in some areas, while falling flat in others. If you intend to duke it out with friends, I recommend it wholeheartedly, especially with the lousy Vita lineup right now. If you are going in strictly for the Silent Hill aspect, you are likely to be disappointed.

I would have to say I'm very impressed with the first piece of DLC Borderlands 2 has to offer. It constantly keeps you moving from one area to the next, and nothing ever gets monotonous.