IGN

The game never embraces its Mario heritage, never allowing itself to break out of a more typical tennis mold to be something unique. Online competition won’t be fair since players can’t omit gyroscope players’ ability to automatically navigate the court. Customization proves limited, despite its sheer quantity, because only Miis can be altered and the item’s statistics are displayed inadequately. Likewise, mini-game variations on tennis are rather creative, but won’t hold up over time.

It’s a shame that most will not have the wherewithal to endure the 20 or so hours of bad game to get to the really juicy story moments. The twists that are thrown are guaranteed to surprise. Unfortunately you’ll need to wade through an often ugly, buggy, and poorly delivered mess to get to them. The good parts of the game just make the ugly ones stand out even more and though the plot is there, you have to trudge through a lot of mud to get any enjoyment out of it.

V2's gratuitous X-Ray kill-cam adds a macabre elegance to every perfectly-timed shot you make that gives your careful handiwork an appealing artistic flair. While the ground combat and close-up encounters aren't as tight as you'd expect from a common shooter, the sniper gameplay is front-and-center here, and it's delivered with top-notch class and authenticity. Even if you think you've had your fill of the WWII genre, this ballsy tactical shooter could definitely change your mind, and blow other peoples' wide open.

So many systems from previous Diablo titles have been improved, making for an approachable, rewarding and deeply satisfying treasure hunting game. It's addictive on a level few games can match, so much so that it's easy to largely overlook its flaws. Sure, if you want you could really nitpick Diablo III’s design, but ultimately any minor grievances seem so trivial when compared to the enjoyment I had and will continue to have with Diablo III for years to come.

This hybrid form of thinking and shooting has a layered depth that comes completely to life in multiplayer, where building a fortress to protect a flag is as fun as flying headlong into the enemy's HQ. Combining these gameplay elements seems so obvious that, in hindsight, it's a wonder it's taken this long to take off.

If you weren't a fan of the franchise's reboot last year, then Mortal Kombat on Vita isn't likely to convert you. The new bonus challenge tower represents the main addition from last year, so if you weren't sold on the challenges the first time around, then you'd be hard pressed to desire even more of them. That said, if this is your first time experiencing Netherrealm's MK reboot or simply didn't get your fill last year, then you'll find a ton of great content here.

Fable Heroes has a big-deal developer taking a chance on something that should be a sure-fire hit. By putting more Fable heart than good-game soul into its work, however, Lionhead compromised its experiment. The playful visuals hardly compensate for old ideas and mundane action. Hardcore Fable nerds may find something of interest by drudging through the brief campaign. It’s an amusing but empty distraction.

Sword & Sworcery masterfully blends music, art, storytelling and gameplay in deeply poetic ways that you just don’t see very often. As such, it doesn’t take a love of adventure games to get wrapped up in the magic of this indie gem. It may only take a handful of hours to work your way through the game’s four chapters (not counting waiting for the moon to change cycles), but the impact it leaves will stay with you long after you’ve moved on.

StarDrone Extreme can be finicky at times – there’s no doubt a learning curve here you’ll have to survive – but with more games like StarDrone Extreme on the PSN made specifically for PlayStation Vita, much-needed balance can be found between awesome, meaty retail games and bite-sized titles that will allow Sony to compete with the likes of Apple’s iOS. StarDrone Extreme may not assail your senses or do anything entirely new and exciting, but hell if it isn’t fun for what it is.

Disappointing character development options, sloppy combat and run-of-the-mill questing structures often make Dark Waters more of a chore to play than it should be, and exploration isn't nearly exciting enough to make up for its many flaws. If you desperately to role-play as a pirate, you certainly can in Risen 2, but you'll also find little that's memorable, and a multitude of poorly implemented ideas and missed opportunities.