Destructoid

Before I sat down, I thought this was going to be the hardest review I ever had to write. I had such a dramatic reaction to the events in the game that I was afraid my emotions would dictate my final verdict. The more I thought about it, though, the more I realized just how easy this review was going to be. Braid is a masterpiece -- a true work of art. Simple as that.

If you're not an Aerosmith fan but like the Guitar Hero experience, this title might keep you mildly entertained for one or two play sessions. If you are a true Aerosmith die-hard, my advice is to wait until they release this material as downloadable content for the upcoming Guitar Hero World Tour; what's offered here is not enough to justify the standalone cost.

I’ve been waiting for a good all around NCAA Football title for a while now, and I think we’re only a few years away from having a completely stellar title. The core gameplay of NCAA ’09 still needs some work. The new breakaway system needs some tweaks to avoid crazy Reggie Bush backwards rushes, and the roster option absolutely needs to be fixed. Campus Legend and the really dumb Coke Zero Mascot game thing also discouraged me.

Yet, there is a lot wrong with Bad Company. That list includes the driving, schizophrenic but miraculously expert marksman AI, plot holes you can drive a truck through, and signing your soul away for additional weapons. My suggestion is if you want a decent multiplayer experience, definitely rent Battlefield: Bad Company. If you want a single player experience, stay away.

Sadly, this isn't a demo. It's a completed retail product and one that disappoints on so many cylinders that it's impossible to overlook the issues for the merits. The game is boring for long stretches, has an uneven level of difficulty and no worthwhile story. Give it a rental and at least see what they've attempted because I'd warrant that some of the concepts presented will be finding their way into future games of the genre.

The control scheme’s simple hold-and-release button press mechanic belies its depth, and while there’s a steep learning curve that makes the game somewhat inaccessible to newcomers, it’s worth sticking to. The game is beautiful to look at, and it provides a fantastic simulation of tennis. If you’re a fan of the sport at all, and you’re willing to work at the controls, Top Spin 3 is definitely worth a purchase.

Overall, Universe at War: Earth Assault is a below average experience in any capacity. While I applaud Petroglyph in their effort to make a RTS playable on a console, I cannot let go of the various misgivings of the game. The bad menus, controls, unplayable online component, and terrible campaign mode completely shroud any real accomplishments made in terms of the game's balance and feel.

Even with those flaws in mind, however, Metal Gear Solid 4 is still the most satisfying entry in the entire series. Its scope and emotion are heretofore unmatched in the medium of videogaming (my sister and I were literally screaming at the screen during the climax in a high-temperature corridor), it wraps up two decades of series mythology, and what gameplay there is, is damned satisfying in how it complements the story.

If you're a fan of The Incredible Hulk or have enjoyed previous Marvel-based games, you could certainly do worse than picking up The Official Game. Even as a non-fan, I've been finding my time as the jolly green git rather enjoyable and have found plenty to like about it. It's definitely worth a weekend's smashing and bashing, at the very least.

The kinetic visuals and fast pacing make the game almost a joy to behold in its first half, but even the veneer of cool editing can't mask the fact that, sooner or later, the crappy, repetitive nature of the actual game mechanics becomes totally overhwelming. I had fun, but not enough fun to warrant the $60 I spent on the game.