Fighting

Lightsabers can cut through 20cm thick metal, but a stick? That's too much.

HIGH Force-throwing and crushing things is a blast.

LOW Camera severely hampers you in several areas, especially in small spaces.

WTF How does a stormtrooper with a stick block a lightsaber?

A Spectacular Crime Drama Bringing "Mature" Content to New Heights

HIGH Some of the best writing and character work in video games, ever.

LOW The technical side could really use a revamp.

WTF I have to go out and aimlessly "enjoy the city" again?!?

Game Description: The sequel to Sega's ambitious adventure game set in the heart and underbelly of Tokyo.

The tale eternally retold... with more muscles, mammaries and licensed characters

HIGH I'm not what you'd call a Star Wars fanboy, although I grew up with the series. However, whoom-ing a lightsaber while playing as a menacing Darth Vader was a strangely satisfying experience. Did I mention that Darth Vader is cool (PlayStation 3 only)?

LOW Realizing that I'd rather be playing Soul Calibur I or II, where the characters flowed slightly faster (in my memory) and there were more interesting learning/adventure modes.

WTF I miss the days of non-hulking characters. Kilik and Ivy are seriously bulked, in their respective fashions. And Ivy is beginning to remind me of a drag queen.

Game Description: Return to witness the epic struggle between the spirit sword, Soul Calibur, and the cursed sword, Soul Edge, in Soul Calibur IV. Warriors from far reaches of the galaxy battle to control the powerful swords and use them for their own goals. Should these fighters succeed, they will face the ultimate judgment. The ongoing story continues with new revelations, exciting new gameplay features and stunning visuals. And perhaps most exciting of all, a character from the Star Wars universe will also make an appearance.

Game Description: Colosseum: Road To Freedom takes you to the time after Caesar's death and follows the life of a gladiator in those trying times. Travel back in time to the height of the Roman Empire circa 190 AD, to see the brutal reality of life-and-death fights in the Colosseum. Narcissus the Gladiator saw his village burnt to ashes by Roman soldiers. On his quest for revenge, he is captured and sent to the arena, to entertain the Roman citizens by shedding blood.

Every strike and its delivery is determined by the player.  This alone makes it a unique title, and one with considerable appeal for players interested in the gladiatorial subject matter.

I can't believe this game was developed by High Moon Studios. Two levels in I stopped the game, went back to the Xbox Dashboard and reloaded to make sure I'd seen what I thought I saw. Yes, it was made by the same people who made Darkwatch. What did I learn? That while a development studio's previous work can usually be a good predictor of their performance in the future, just because some developers turned out a terrible game doesn't mean that they won't turn around and make a fantastic one the next time out.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence