IGN

In the end I have to admit that despite its large number of problems I find Elemental strangely engaging, and I want to keep playing just because I know that someday it's going to become a much better game than it is right now.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent's puzzles aren't especially impressive and the voice acting can range from convincing to goofy, but the atmosphere Frictional has infused into the experience is as powerful as they come. It's a tale of terror that's menacing and disturbing from the very first moments, and only amplifies the further you progress. Any fan of horror, every Lovecraft fan, and any with even a hint of curiosity should give Amnesia a shot.

The Behemoth’s incredibly fun cooperative beat–em-up would’ve been pure brawler perfection if the multiplayer had launched in better form. It’s incredibly frustrating that it’s easier to play Castle Crashers with strangers than with your friends, but it’s still a great brawler that will soak up your time. Between unlocking new characters so you can level them up to finding all of the hidden weapons and animal orbs, there’s a lot to do in the campaign mode.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with EyePet and was surprised by the variety of things to do with him in order to keep things fresh. The game is very clearly aimed at families and kids, so if you don't tend to like pet simulations already, then you probably won't care for EyePet. But, if you do, then I think you'll find EyePet to be the most realistic and satisfying one that you've played.

If you really enjoy strategy RPGs, particularly the Disciples series, you might enjoy Disciples III. There's a bunch of content here to play, but you should really try the demo first to see if it will keep your attention.

A recommendation for Dog Days isn't hard, though it is filled with qualifications. If the story and characters haven't caught your interest yet, or if you're just not interested in crime thrillers, then there's probably not going to be enough in Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days to keep you playing.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is clearly meant to be played with other people, because it sometimes feels impossible when going it alone. I had to grind -- replaying levels multiple times to power up -- in order to beat the game solo. And there's really very little difference in the difficulty settings once you've powered up, so "easy" is almost as tough as hard. Sometimes, I just felt overwhelmed and other times I cursed cheap shots that felt impossible to avoid.

Mafia II is an interesting mobster tale with some great voice acting and cool cutscenes; if you have a made man itch, feel free to scratch it here, but be prepared for a pretty standard third-person shooter in the gameplay department. The take cover, kill everyone, do it againmechanic didn't wow me, but it didn't let me down either.

I think it's clear that this year's Madden is geared toward the mainstream football fan; someone who just wants to come in after playing a game of catch outside and get their hands on some real NFL talent. For that audience Madden NFL 11 delivers. However, if you're the type of player who sits alone in your living room combing the free agent wire for a player to add to your beloved franchise, I think this year's Madden is going to leave something to be desired.

Monday Night Combat doesn't offer a large variety of modes or maps, but all of the content being offered is focused and fun. With so many "serious" shooters out there trying to be hardcore, this lively, playful effort is refreshing. It's a great fit for Xbox Live and manages to stand out in a crowded genre.