IGN

• WII
• 6 / 10
• États-Unis

• PS3
• X360
• PC
• 6 / 10
• États-Unis

Everything about X-Blades is mediocre. It works for what it is, and there’s some charm to the action and the characters, but the gameplay design is lacking in ingenuity; a notion that is perpetuated the longer you play. Some will be able to find more enjoyment with X-Blades than I, but most will likely wind up walking away before the adventure is over.

• WII
• 6.9 / 10
• États-Unis

• X360
• 5.2 / 10
• États-Unis

There is something addictive and mindlessly fun about Minesweeper, which is why it’s been so popular over the years. But why would I want to download a $5 console installment when I can open six different versions for free on my computer and play them all as I type this? Minesweeper Flags works as advertised, so if you’re dying for the Minesweeper experience, you won’t be disappointed. But there's nothing new here that's really worth the download, multiplayer included.

• WII
• 0.8 / 10
• États-Unis

2009 got started shakily itself, as this year's January didn't look much better than last's. But now that we're into February, and now that we've seen the first fresh wave of solid games like The House of the Dead: Overkill, Deadly Creatures and Tenchu: Shadow Assassins make it out to market, we can breathe a little easier -- 2009 will certainly end up being a better year for Wii than 2008 was. As for the final fate of 2008, well, hopefully we can have a little fun with it now that we're gaining some distance from those dreadful days. And as for the worst game of 2008, well, Action Girlz Racing really is my pick. It's a horrid product full of terrible track design, lifeless characters and glitched programming that's only service to its developer and publisher is to make all their other bargain bin games look better by comparison. So let's send it off with the score seemingly most appropriate for '08 -- 0.8. Good riddance, 2008. You won't be missed.

• DS
• 8.9 / 10
• États-Unis

Dragon Quest V is a must-play RPG, pure and simple. By extension, that means that Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is also a must-play RPG, though I can’t help but wish we were getting it sooner than 17 years late, and with a bit more fanfare and polish. The core game is simply incredible, offering some of the best story, gameplay, and customization available in the Super NES era, and most of the DQ series to boot. The DS version is the only one we’ve got, and while I wouldn’t go as far as to call it the definitive version without having a chance to experience the original, the updated script is very well done, things like the fan-missed party chat option (removed from DQIV on DS) is now back, and the sheer amount of impressive gameplay found in the nearly doubled in size monster battle system is immense. The 3D design is great, the presentation is top notch, holding up what was originally done with the Super Famicom version and amplified by the PS2 remake in Japan. There are still issues with the game as a current-day DS title though, such a very plain interface, a bland top screen during battles, and an archaic menu system that really makes the game feel dated. The source material for this one is nothing short of amazing, and hands-down one of the best classic RPGs ever created. The DS conversion of that source material – while still very commendable – could have been even better after seeing some of Square’s other works on the platform. With that being said, DQV: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is a must-own game for anyone that calls themselves an RPG fan – it’s just that good.

• PS3
• X360
• PC
• 8.3 / 10
• États-Unis

With F.E.A.R. 2, Monolith has crafted a solid follow-up to F.E.A.R. It’s a good shooter, bordering on great at times, but it’s not as groundbreaking as its predecessor. Still, it’s definitely faithful to the idea of F.E.A.R., which is mainly trying to get under your skin using a combination of tried-and-true horror elements, not the least of which is a creepy little girl.

• PS3
• 9 / 10
• États-Unis

thatgamecompany's Co-founder, Jenova Chen, told me that Flower is experimenting with territory outside the traditional "fun pie," an abstract pie chart Chen constructed that maps out the emotions and motives of modern game genres. If you're interested in something very unique and very powerful, Flower is a must-play. It will especially resonate with people that possess a deep connection with nature and spirituality, as it's the type of game that reaches out to us and whispers about the beauty of life -- without saying anything at all.

• WII
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis

I pray that Wii owners take notice of Deadly Creatures so that this ambitious new property from Rainbow Studios may blossom into a lucrative franchise. If definitely deserves the attention. This is a game for Wii owners who want something refreshingly different. It's powered by a dark, intelligent storyline, boasts great production values through and through, and features smart, fun controls (that use the Wii remote well), not to mention some unexpectedly engrossing exploration elements. The game's got a few polish issues -- camera and framerate hiccups and some frustrating bugs of the technical nature -- but it's still engrossing from beginning to end. THQ's creepy Wii exclusive action-adventure is not just a console showpiece, overflowing with cutting-edge graphic design and ultra-ambient audio, but one of the few titles for the system available whose main characters will give you goose bumps, let alone the supporting cast. If you complain that Wii never gets high-quality third-party games and you don't buy Deadly Creatures, you've only yourself to blame.

• DS
• 9 / 10
• États-Unis

• WII
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis

• PSP
• 8.3 / 10
• États-Unis

• DS
• 5 / 10
• États-Unis

From the looks of the package alone, you might assume that Bratz Girlz Really Rock is a rhythm-action game -- some kind of design that offers an experience like Guitar Hero or Elite Beat Agents, but with the Bratz branding and characters. But after powering on the game card inside, it's quickly revealed that this is just another of the same old adventures, barely different than the Bratz games that have come before. If the young girl gamer in your life is a fan of the Bratz Girlz Really Rock DVD and she hasn't already played the older Bratz titles on DS, she might be in the small target audience that would appreciate this effort. But you're probably better off just saving your cash, and maybe putting it toward another doll for her instead.

• DS
• 7 / 10
• États-Unis

Time Hollow is a terrific premise that I would love to see explored further in sequels. I adore the concept of investigating a mystery that pans the depths of time, piecing clues together to open up memory fragments, and ultimately open portals in time to right the present and future. There are some fun play mechanics based around the processes of interrogating people and, of course, drawing time rifts. But I think the game comes up short in several areas, whether it's the sometimes- uninteresting characters, the sloppy way in which you must backtrack out of areas, or the fact that you oftentimes know what to do next but can't because you have to trigger something by way of a conversation first. Despite these issues, i think you'll still enjoy Konami's graphic adventure if you also like titles like Hotel Dusk.

• PS3
• 9 / 10
• États-Unis

• X360
• 5.9 / 10
• États-Unis

Much more could have been done with 3 on 3 NHL Arcade. A tournament mode would have helped a great deal, as would unlockables and the inclusion of NHL teams. All-Star NHL players are a great thing to have, but in the end, people care about their favorite team more than a collection of unaffiliated players. The over-the-top gameplay is a good fit, but it is a bit unimaginative. Shrinking goalies and massive body checks aren't exactly stretching the boundaries for an arcade game. Why not have fun with on-ice intros or the end-game announcement of the 3 Stars? Where is my Zamboni race between periods?

• PS3
• 7.5 / 10
• États-Unis

Magic Ball is a streamlined, simple game that's fun to play. There aren't many frills, there's no story to speak of, and it's not incredibly long, but if you feel like a good brick-braking game, purchasing this title should be an easy decision.

• X360
• 8 / 10
• États-Unis