IGN

Machinarium is a must-play for point-and-click fans. It hearkens back to the early days of the genre with a brutal level of difficulty that will keep you puzzled for hours. This difficulty is also the game's weakness, though, and some players will be frustrated when they just want to explore this fascinating world. But it is visually stunning, has some of the best audio you'll ever hear in a game, and is surprisingly emotional. Just come ready for a challenge.

nsomniac has created a visually appealing game with enough personality to match its good looks. With so much to level-up and enjoy, there's enough to keep even hardcore Ratchet fans coming back for more -- especially with the new Clank sections that feature some enthralling puzzles. Now that the awkward space sections from Tools of Destruction have been replaced, there's almost nothing I don't like about Crack in Time. Unfortunately, as Crack in Time still relies heavily on the tried and true Ratchet Formula, gamers that were satisfied with old Ratchet games might not have enough reasons to come back.

Gearbox's Borderlands is without a doubt a slick, satisfying hybrid title for those who know what to expect. If you're a shooter fan curious what the world of Pandora is all about, then you should know that this is a product built on a foundation of statistical progression, character customization, and one that holds item acquisition high above interesting quest structure and narrative.

On the pitch it's the same joyous game that's won so many plaudits in the past, its fast-paced approach encouraging the sort of outlandish play that means nearly every match is a classic, and while this is some way off being the all-round package offered by EA, it's probably the most fun way to play football with a controller available.

SVR fans have been lobbing complaints at THQ and ranting about how to make the franchise better. Although WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 stills stumbles CAS can seem limited, clipping is still an issue, CAF isn't that different, only 10, CAS appearances in a story is weak, etc., the whole of the game is great. The gameplay tweaks are welcome and make the experience feel fresh, the presentation is straight from TV, the load times are better than ever, the Road to WrestleMania is still great, you can create your own logos, and the ability to share your stories and characters is invaluable.

We encourage you to give the demo a shot before committing to it. The future is bright for Cities XL, but it's doubtful that it's bright enough to dethrone SimCity 4 as the preferred city-building simulation.

Anybody who has played more than a handful of JRPGs will find a game that feels all too familiar from the very outset. If you're fine with buying a game that will feel like you've probably played it before, by all means give Magnacarta 2 a shot. I'd say that newcomers would find more to like here, but the fact is that there are better JRPGs out there on Xbox 360 that I'd recommend as an intro to the genre before this middle of the road adventure.

Brutal Legend isn't quite perfect and there is room for improvement (it's a little short, side quests are repetitive...), but when the credits roll you'll find yourself hoping for a sophomore release. Double Fine created a rich heavy metal universe and backstory full of great characters and creatures, with potential for an out-of-this-world sequel. Here's hoping Schafer and company get a chance to take us there.

Forza Motorsport 3 is an exemplary racing game. It's beautiful, the controls are spot-on, the career mode is satisfying, and the multiplayer component is awesome. But there's still room to grow. The visuals could be even better, the career mode sags at times, and there needs to be at least one more option for AI difficulty. Even with those concerns, Forza 3 is a big step forward for sim racing games. Turn 10 has thrown down the gauntlet and it will be a real challenge for Polyphony Digital to deliver a superior racer with Gran Turismo 5.

But as it stands, this is the very best racing game there is on the console market. It's a compendium of everything that's been great about driving games over the past few years, tied into a community that can keep the experience fresh for some time to come. For the uninitiated, this is a gentle introduction to the joys of well-clipped apexes and shaving split seconds, while for those already in thrall to the genre this is likely to be their obsession.