Namco

It has gameplay that sucked me in, characters that were greatly expanded via manga-inspired "skits," and an epic story full of wonder. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this game; my previous Tales experience was with Tales of Destiny 2 on PlayStation, and I found that game too trite to ever get involved. Fortunately, this new game is an entirely different animal.

Game Description: In a dying village on Sylvarant, legend has it that a Chosen One will one day appear from amongst the people and the land will be reborn. Enter a world of beautiful cel-shaded graphics and high-quality Anime cut scenes by renowned artist Kosuke Fujishima. Command real time battles in a unique 3D battle system that gives you full control over the characters. Execute and combine hundreds of special attacks and magic spells. The line between good and evil blurs in this immersive, emotionally charged epic adventure where the fate of two interlocked worlds hangs in the balance.

Breakdown is a perfect example of the sort of great-thinking, rotten-playing game that has a great brain, but neglects the basics backing it up. It has a great hook, especially when you consider that most respected developers today say the elusive feelings of emotional involvement and immersion are what they're after. Breakdown certainly scores major points on that front, but taken as a whole, the project achieves disappointingly uneven results.

Game Description: Breakdown is the story of a young man freed from a mysterious organization looking to brainwash him into submission. You can not only smash soldiers, government agents, and supernatural enemies using your fists, but call upon a special energy that imbues your arms with powerful concentrations of light., Trapped inside a mysterious laboratory and unable to remember his past, Derrick Cole discovers his extraordinary powers as he fights for survival against a determined military faction and a legion of seemingly invincible super-human warriors.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence

The optimist in me looks forward to the day when "drumming game" can be seen not as a novelty, but as an accepted subgenre. Wishful thinking, I know.

Game Description: In a world on the brink of global conflict, you find yourself back on the front lines of battle. Only this time, you're not here to prevent a war. You're here to start one. Dynamically use your environment as cover hug objects and terrain, popping out to fire from protected positions;Your enemies use all of the same tactics available to you, to take you down.

Some games are the bearers of creative brilliance, striving to expand the boundaries of gaming as we know it. The inspired work of inspired people, you can see these titles coming a mile away—and you might not be the same after being exposed to such masterpieces. On the other hand, some games are content to provide thrills and technical experiences without covering much, if any, new ground. These titles are the staples of a videogamer's diet. Safe and familiar, you know what you're getting.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Strong Language, Violence

Game Description: A new page in history has begun as the most highly-anticipated fighting game ever finally arrives! The greatest 3D weapons-based fighter will provide non-stop action, excitement and surprises as you go one-on-one against your favorite challengers.