The second iteration of Capcom’s Bionic Commando reboot once again takes us to the brutally difficult world of old-school NES platformers. Gameplay improvements and an awesome soundtrack await returning players as they precariously swing the commando from level to level. Technical issues keep the game from feeling too polished as a whole, but fans of the original may be pleasantly surprised as they play through the game’s many environments.

Usually the thought of having to write up a BloodRayne review would induce crippling migraines and the erratic uttering of various four letter words that I can’t type here for obvious reasons; so bad have the previous installments been. But in this particular case I must admit I was intrigued and even a bit excited to get my hands on this particular title. Why you ask? Well because this game was made by WayForward Technologies, the California based developer responsible for bringing Contra back to its roots with Contra 4 on the Nintendo DS.

When I originally learned that Insomniac Games, the minds behind Spyro the Dragon and the Ratchet and Clank series were planning a new IP for the launch of the PlayStation 3, I was pretty excited. When they revealed that it was going to be a gritty first person shooter my excitement waned a bit as skepticism started to take over. You see, it was the beginning of the FPS wave that would soon flood the market. It made sense that Sony was getting in on the action with the Killzone series, but I was surprised that the guys at Insomniac were heading down a path that had been travelled down so many times that it was more like a super highway. I wanted something more original than what looked like was coming. Sony only added pressure by marketing the game as their “killer app” – that must-have title that was supposed to push systems out the door and into the living rooms of nerds like myself.

Usually when someone makes a game where you play a deity or similar spiritual being you are truly the ruler of that world. You can rain down miracles or bring the plagues, and shape reality to your whim. Often the only true obstacle is protecting your worshippers from beings of similar power or trying to properly multitask a growing population of the faithful.

I bet if you were to make a game that featured a cast of characters that includes demons, zombies, koala-men, Yetis, King Kong, vampires, werewolves, and wizards you'd make a twin stick shooter. What's that? That's a terrible idea? Yeah, I guess it is a pretty awful idea. Good thing the developers behind Ugly Americans: Apocalypsegeddon thought the same thing… Oh right, they didn't.

I've had the pleasure of not having to play many terrible games. Unfortunately for me, Thor: God of Thunder added to my personal short list of gaming atrocities. Movie games are notoriously bad, and Thor does nothing to break the mould. With frustrating gameplay choices, unresponsive controls, mediocre graphics and presentation and to top it off, impossible scenarios that prohibit players from being able to finish the game, Thor is full of problems that result from rushed development.

There's so much disappointment in virtually every aspect of Hyperdimension Neptunia. The concept is creative but doesn't work. The characters were created with seemingly no purpose except to be viewed as borderline risque versions of the companies or consoles they represent. The battle system, while operable, is completely convoluted, offering players too many meaningless, worthless attack options that grow to be too complex for any sort of general consumption. There are so many issues, it's hard to tell where to begin.

I’m not sure what it is, but loot-based dungeon crawlers have an unbelievable ability to completely immerse me. I hate to say it, but they’re basically digital crack and I’m completely unable to put them down until I either reach the end of the game or hit the level cap. Borderlands is my latest indulgence, but it has a twist that you wouldn’t usually associate with the genre.

Capcom has often stated that Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition is a love letter to fans of the series. I completely agree with this statement. Not only is this version a faithful recreation of a hidden treasure, but it also caters to both Third Strike veterans as well as fans that may have gotten into the series with its later incarnations. Jam packed with features that most full priced retail games don't have, Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition is a fantastic value, that also happens to be a fantastic game.

With companies like Nintendo and Rare releasing great platformers on the Nintendo 64, most of the other ones in between were largely ignored. Not that it wasn't for good reason, as those games were some of the best ones created, but it is nice to now catch up on the ones I passed over. Chameleon Twist doesn't offer anything unique or groundbreaking, but it's still a fun, quirky game while it lasts, and is worth checking out after completing the Marios and Banjos of the system.

Twelve years ago, Ion Storm created the original Deus Ex, combining role-playing elements into a first-person shooter, something that, while done before, had never had such polish. The game won multiple awards and still regarded as one of the greatest PC games of all time. Stepping into the role of a UN agent in a cyberpunk, dystopian future, you unraveled a massive conspiracy threatening the entire world. In 2003, a sequel, Deus Ex: Invisible War was released and while generally well-received, it failed to deliver the quality and poise of its namesake and has become a sore spot for fans. Today, 11 years later, Square Enix has tried to revitalize the franchise and bring in a new generation of gamers while catering to the old guard with Deus Ex: Human Revolution - and boy did they succeed. Deus Ex: Human Revolution has managed to deliver one of the most enjoyable games I have played in years.

Total War: Shogun 2 is a slow, but entertaining game. You assume the role of a province leader with ambitions of conquering all of feudal Japan. This goal is achieved through two alternating gameplay modes. On a map of Japan you take care of the grandiose strategy that is required to subjugate a country. Human and computer players take turns positioning their armies, negotiating trades, researching technologies, and building additions to cities.

Kirby is adorable. With his round, pink marshmallow shaped figure, he is the cutest Nintendo character ever. Yes, even cuter then Pikmin. On the other hand, Kirby is absolutely ruthless; no one can resist his powerful vacuum-like suck ability that will swallow any enemy that is his size. Once you have been swallowed by Kirby, there is no escape. He will either spit you out in the shape of the star, sending you right into another enemy, or swallow you and take your ability.

While NASCAR has always seemed to be an obvious idea for a racing game, releases simulating the sport have all but disappeared since last generation. In the past, the games produced bearing the name have been solid, which makes the latest release, NASCAR 2011: The Game seem promising. Unfortunately, this iteration doesn't execute like past games have.

Rather than provide an entirely redundant review on Puzzle Dimension's PSN release, I'll be using this space to explain any differences in its latest incarnation. For a full description of the game, you are encouraged to check out our original review.

Sometimes you play a game and can't help but be disappointed that it isn't something more. Phineas & Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension is such a game. Built on an engine that provides solid visuals and controls, Phineas and Ferb has the groundwork for a great game. Unfortunately, it quickly falls into a rut wherein each level in the game feels similar to the last, so much so that set pieces from levels are practically recycled. While I truly wanted to enjoy the game thanks to its solid footing, it quickly became sleep-inducing when it failed to evolve.

If you have been playing Nintendo games and/or the Wii and DS, you may have seen the little seizure warning message that popped up before you started the game or after you started the system. You may ask yourself, “What was the point of those messages?” to which I answer you, “To cover their ass ends.” Yes, to you gamers who may be prone to seizures because of flashing screens and colors, this is to warn you about the dangers you may put yourself into. Why? Because you are too lazy to read the instruction manual, but then again who reads those?

NCAA '12 brings improved presentation, similar gameplay, and a few new features to the table this year. While NCAA '12 is a great football game, it doesn't completely outdo last year's NCAA '11.

When I read Nick's review for the Xbox 360 version of this game, I wept on the inside, knowing that my review copy was already on its way.

In a world devastated by “The Calamity,” a mysterious and catastrophic event, we find the Bastion, a powerful and mysterious place, and namesake of Supergiant Games' XBLA title. With a small cast, the first acting as the avatar of the player in the world, and is simply known as “The Kid,” Bastion feels like something truly special in the video game world. Part of the reason is the second character Rucks, who doubles as the narrator. Brushing beyond his role for a moment, understand there are only two other real characters in all of Bastion; The Calamity appears to have razed all other human life in the kid's homeland of Caelondia. Don't misunderstand, there are survivors. Unfortunately for the people left, those who survived the Calamity are more of the angry, confused, enemy monster type than they are of the human variety. These monsters remain to assault the kid, but as he begins his journey through the Bastion, Rucks promises completing his quest will help to fix all of Caelondia.

This console generation hasn’t been very kind to people who love console JRPGs. There have been very few released, and hardly any of those were actually good. Tales of Vesperia is an exception. Though the game isn’t as popular as its predecessor, Tales of Symphonia, Vesperia makes its mark as one of the best in the series.

While Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions is a brand new game, it’s comprised mostly of existing titles. Both the original Pac-Man and Galaga make their appearance alongside their modern revivals, Pac-Man Championship Edition and Galaga Legions. Exclusive to the collection are two brand new games, Pac-Man Tilt and Galaga 3D Impact. Though 3D Impact offers a neat AR experience, its inclusion is mostly forgettable, leaving Pac-Man Tilt to carry the title. The problem here is that Pac-Man Tilt is mostly enjoyable, but occasionally infuriating due to its mix of traditional and motion controls.

There's no question that die-hard Earth Defense Force fans may be a little turned off by the latest title in the series, Insect Armageddon. As something of a spin-off of the main series, the title has been developed by western studio Vicious Cycle Software, rather than the typical folks at Sandlot in Japan. In the shift to D3Publisher's western office, Earth Defense Force has seen some slight changes in an effort to build a stronger third person shooter for western players. As someone who has enjoyed the likes of 2017 and Zangeki no Reginleiv, the changes are a mix of both good and bad.

Take everything that makes a JRPG what it is, compress it down to thirty second slices and you’ll find yourself with Half-Minute Hero from Marvelous Entertainment. A fun and spastic gameplay experience. OK, I’m done, go play it.

I’m not a choosy gamer. I’m probably one of the most happy-go-lucky gamers in the world. When I play a game, I focus on what I like about it and try to ignore what I don’t like. If a game has flaws I try not to think about them and enjoy what the game got right. I also have a wide variety of tastes; the only two categories I don’t like much are fighting and sports. It’s pretty easy for me to enjoy a game. In fact, other than some sports and fighting games, I’ve probably never played a game I didn’t like on some level. After Carmageddon 64, things will never be that way again.